This Man Now Charged With Trying to Kill Zimmerman

A prosecutor has upgraded to attempted murder the most serious charge against a man accused of shooting into George Zimmerman's vehicle while they were driving down a busy road last month. State Attorney Phil Archer charged 36-year-old Matthew Apperson with attempted second-degree murder. Apperson had been charged earlier with aggravated assault and battery for firing a gun into Zimmerman's car during a traffic run-in last month on a busy road in an Orlando suburb. Zimmerman had minor injuries. Apperson also faces an aggravated assault charge and a charge of shooting into an occupied vehicle.

Apperson's attorney, Michael LaFay, says the attempted murder charge doesn't change any facts of the case. Apperson, who's out on a $35,000 bond, plans to enter a plea of not guilty during an arraignment hearing set for next week. "Am I surprised when prosecutors overreach with the heaviest charge they can possibly level? It's like a normal day at the office," LaFay says. Zimmerman's attorney, Don West, says Zimmerman is pleased with the charge. Apperson told police officers that Zimmerman had threatened him with a gun during the encounter last month, so he fired at Zimmerman's vehicle. He is expected to use the "stand your ground" legal defense that Zimmerman knows well.