Judge in Trayvon Martin case to step down

(CNN) — A Florida appeals court has granted defendant George Zimmerman’s request for a new judge in his murder trial, Zimmerman’s lawyer said Wednesday.

Zimmerman is charged with murder in the February death of teenager Trayvon Martin.

His defense team wanted Seminole County Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester removed because they said he used “disparaging” language against Zimmerman in a bail order last month.

The Fifth District Court of Appeal granted Zimmerman’s request Wednesday, and Lester must now step down.