George Zimmerman Sues NBC For Edited 911 Call and Treyvon Martin Murder Case Coverage

George Zimmerman, the man accused with the second-degree murder of Treyvon Martin, sued NBC Universal on Thursday for portraying him as a "racist and predatory villain." According to the New York Times, Zimmerman filed the suit in a circuit court in Seminole County, Fla. and requested a jury trial.

ABC News reported that the suit claims, "NBC saw the death of Trayvon Martin not as a tragedy, but as an opportunity to increase ratings." According to the lawsuit, the network used Zimmerman's case to boost ratings of its morning show, "The Today Show."

Zimmerman also claims that the network "manipulated" the 911 call between Zimmerman and the emergency dispatch shortly before he shot and killed the unarmed teenager.

The edited version of the 911 call aired by NBC were, "This guy looks like he's up to no good or he's on drugs or something. He looks black." However, Zimmerman actually told the dispatcher, "This guy looks like he's up to no good or he's on drugs or something," the NY Times reported. The dispatcher then asked, "O.K., and this guy-is he white, black or Hispanic?" To which Zimmerman responded, "He looks black."

A spokeswoman for the network told the Times, "We strongly disagree with the accusations made in the complaint. There was no intent to portray Mr. Zimmerman unfairly. We intend to vigorously defend our position in court."

The network was forced to conduct an investigation after NBC News discovered the mix-up in late March. According to ABC News, NBC News President Steve Capus called the incident a "mistake" and at least two NBC employees were fired. The NYT identified one of the employees as Lilia Luciano, who, along with correspondent Ron Allen, was named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

In a statement released on his website, Zimmerman stated, "What happened that night was a tragedy: a tragedy that NBC exploited, creating an opportunity for profit. I am holding NBC accountable for its actions. If NBC had not spread lies and falsifications about me, this lawsuit would not exist...The unjustified public persecution of me because of NBC's actions is wrong. It shouldn't have happened to me, and it shouldn't happen to anyone."

Zimmerman's legal team has established a website to publish press releases related to the case against NBC-GZvNBC.com. The first hearing for the case is scheduled for Tuesday, December 11 at 9 a.m.