Updated at 8:02 p.m. ET: George Zimmerman, the Florida man who claims he shot and killed Trayvon Martin in self-defense, has set up a personal website to collect money for his legal expenses, his attorneys told NBC News on Monday. 
 
 Several sites purporting to raise money for Zimmerman, 28, have popped up since he shot Martin, 17, on Feb. 26 in Sanford, Fla., but "I cannot attest to the validity of these other websites," Zimmerman writes on therealgeorgezimmerman.com. 
 
 Attorneys confirmed to NBC News that the site, which domain records show was created Sunday, is real and is operated by Zimmerman himself. It solicits donations through PayPal with a promise that "any funds provided are used only for living expenses and legal defense, in lieu of my forced inability to maintain employment." 
 
 Access to the site was hit or miss as it appeared to be having trouble handling a heavy stream of visitors after msnbc.com's initial report Monday afternoon; it was back up Monday evening with the visitor counter reset. It wasn't known whether any of those visitors had used the provided link to make a donation. 
 
 As for the case itself, Zimmerman says, "I cannot discuss the details of the event on February 26th" to allow authorities "to proceed with their investigation unhindered." 
 
 "I thank you for your patience and I assure you, the facts will come to light," it continues, quoting a philosophy attributed variously to the Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, D-N.Y., and to sociologist James W. Loewen (who is credited): "People have a right to their own opinions, but not to their own facts. Evidence must be located, not created, and opinions not backed by evidence cannot be given much weight." 
 
 A grand jury had been scheduled to convene Tuesday to review the Martin shooting, but the special prosecutor appointed by Florida Gov. Rick Scott said in a statement that she had decided to retain the authority to decide whether Zimmerman should be charged. 
 
 Prosecutor: No grand jury for Trayvon Martin case 
 
 ﻿Benjamin Crump, an attorney for Martin's family, wasn't available for comment. 
 
 Here's the full statement from Zimmerman on his website: 
 
 I am the real George Zimmerman. On Sunday February 26th, I was involved in a life altering event which led me to become the subject of intense media coverage. As a result of the incident and subsequent media coverage, I have been forced to leave my home, my school, my employer, my family and ultimately, my entire life. This website's sole purpose is to ensure my supporters they are receiving my full attention without any intermediaries. It has come to my attention that some persons and/or entities have been collecting funds, thinly veiled as my "Defense Fund" or "Legal Fund". I cannot attest to the validity of these other websites as I have not received any funds collected, intended to support my family and I through this trying, tragic time. I have created a Paypal account solely linked on this website as I would like to provide an avenue to thank my supporters personally and ensure that any funds provided are used only for living expenses and legal defense, in lieu of my forced inability to maintain employment. I will also personally, maintain accountability of all funds received. I reassure you, every donation is appreciated. Sincerely, George Zimmerman 
 
 More content from msnbc.com and NBC News: 
 
 Follow US News on msnbc.com on Twitter and Facebook ||||| Murder suspect George Zimmerman today announced plans to ramp up fund-raising, writing on a website that if you act now, he'll send you a thank you card "personally signed by George." 
 
 The fund so far has raised an estimated $340,000, but Zimmerman announced today it's nearly exhausted. 
 
 Zimmerman is the 29-year-old former Neighborhood Watch volunteer free on $1 million bail while he awaits trial on a second-degree murder charge. 
 
 He killed Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black 17-year-old, in Sanford Feb. 26 after he spotted the teenager, described him to police as suspicious then got into a fight with the high school junior and shot him once in the chest. 
 
 He says he acted in self-defense. 
 
 Zimmerman began raising funds via the Internet a few weeks after the shooting and for a time was netting $1,000 a day, but fund-raising has since fallen off sharply. 
 
 Several weeks ago, defense attorney Mark O'Mara said defense costs were outstripping income and he might be forced to have Zimmerman declared indigent. 
 
 Zimmerman is living in hiding in Seminole County and does not have a job. 
 
 Today, a new post appeared on the legal defense fund's website. It says the fund needs more money, so in December, it's being transferred to a new fund manager – one Zimmerman will choose - and he'll make "more affirmative fund-raising efforts." 
 
 He promised a new statement to supporters plus thank you notes to contributors. A photo on the webpage shows an understated note card with the words "George Zimmerman" on the front and inside, "Thank you for your support." 
 
 It is signed, "Your Friend, George." 
 
 "We are, of course, maintaining the confidentiality of donors," the website says. 
 
 The money will go to pay Zimmerman's living expenses first, then for costs associated with the case and lastly to defense lawyers O'Mara and co-counsel Don West, who have not been paid, the site says. 
 
 The announcement reflects a shift in control of the fund. O'Mara ordered Zimmerman to surrender all defense funds to him in April then placed them in the hands of an independent manager. They now will be managed by someone picked by Zimmerman, according to the statement. 
 
 Exact fund-raising totals are hard to come by, but it appears donors have contributed about $340,000. 
 
 According to a letter O'Mara wrote to Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester Jr. on May 18, Zimmerman had netted just under $200,000 when O'Mara had Zimmerman surrender control on April 27. 
 
 Today's announcement says that since May 3, it has raised an additional $140,000. 
 
 rstutzman@tribune.com or 407-650-76394. jeweiner@tribune.com or 407-420-5171.
– George Zimmerman has finally surfaced—at least online. The Florida man who killed Trayvon Martin has posted a personal website, therealgeorgezimmerman.com, to collect money for his own legal defense. His attorneys have confirmed to MSNBC that the site is authentic, unlike other websites claiming to raise money in his name. "I cannot attest to the validity of these other websites as I have not received any funds collected," writes Zimmerman on his site. On a page called "The Facts," he writes: "I cannot discuss the details of the event on February 26th," but he thanks friends for "allowing law enforcement to proceed with their investigation unhindered." A US flag can be seen fluttering in the background. In related news, MyFoxDetroit notes that a construction site sign in Michigan was altered to read, "Trayvon a [N-word]." A state official says someone—not the subcontractor, he insists—must have snuck over and "changed the message."