I'm no longer taking the bait, sorry.
"Judge orders George Zimmerman back to jail; Rules suspect lied at bond hearing; Has until Sunday to turn himself in" by Kyle Hightower and Mike Schneider |
Associated Press, June 02, 2012
SANFORD, Fla. - The man who shot Trayvon Martin must return
to jail after a judge ruled Friday that George Zimmerman and his wife
lied to the court about their finances to obtain bond.
Zimmerman was arrested 44 days after the killing, and during a bond
hearing in April his wife, Shellie, testified that the couple had
limited funds available. The hearing also was notable because Zimmerman
took the stand and apologized to Martin’s parents.
But prosecutors pointed out in their motion to the judge that
Zimmerman had $135,000 available then, money raised from donations
through a website he set up. They suggested that more money has been
collected since and deposited in a bank account.
Shellie
Zimmerman was asked about the website at the hearing, but she said she
did not know how much money had been raised. Circuit Judge Kenneth
Lester set bail at $150,000. The 28-year-old was freed a few days later
after posting $15,000 in cash - which is typical - and has since been in
hiding.
Prosecutor Bernie De la Rionda complained Friday, “This court was led
to believe they didn’t have a single penny. It was misleading and I
don’t know what words to use other than it was a blatant lie.’’
The
judge agreed and ordered Zimmerman returned to jail by Sunday afternoon.
“Does your client get to sit there like a potted plant and lead the
court down the primrose path? That’s the issue,’’ Lester said to
Zimmerman’s attorney, Mark O’Mara. “He can’t sit back and obtain the
benefit of a lower bond based upon those material falsehoods.’’
O’Mara said that Zimmerman and his wife never used the money for
anything, which indicated “there was no deceit.’’ O’Mara said it
wouldn’t be a problem to bring Zimmerman back into custody by the
deadline.
The judge said he would schedule a hearing after Zimmerman is back in custody so he could explain himself.
Zimmerman has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder for the
February shooting. The neighborhood watch volunteer has said he shot
Martin in self-defense because the unarmed 17-year-old was beating him
after confronting Zimmerman about following him in a gated community
outside Orlando.
The judge questioning Zimmerman’s truthfulness could undermine the
defendant’s credibility at trial and may complicate how his defense
presents him as a witness, said Orlando-area attorney Randy McClean, a
former prosecutor.
Witness accounts of the rainy night Martin was shot are spotty. There
is no video of the fight, though photos prosecutors have released
showed Zimmerman with wounds to his face and the back of his head. His
recollection of what occurred is key.
“The other key witness, unfortunately is deceased,’’ McClean said.
“Basically, Zimmerman is going to be asking the jury to believe his
version of the facts. . . . As the case stands now, his credibility is
absolutely critical to the case.’’
Police in Sanford did not immediately arrest Zimmerman, citing
Florida’s “stand your ground’’ law that gives wide latitude to use
deadly force rather than retreat in a fight if people believe they are
in danger of being killed or seriously injured.
Benjamin Crump, an attorney for Trayvon Martin’s parents, Tracy
Martin and Sybrina Fulton, said his clients have always said Zimmerman
should remain in jail until trial, which O’Mara said he believed would
not be until next year.
Crump was asked whether he thought that if Zimmerman would be willing
to lie about his finances he would be willing to lie about what
happened the night Martin was killed.
“We fully expect that the special prosecutor will make George
Zimmerman’s credibility be front and center in this entire case,’’ Crump
said. “And whatever dishonesty that comes forth by George Zimmerman
that they can prove, you can best believe it will become the issue of
this case.’’
Prosecutors also said that although Zimmerman surrendered a passport
at the bond hearing, he had a second one he did not report. He and his
wife spoke about keeping the passport in a safety deposit box during
jailhouse conversations.
However, Judge Lester dismissed that concern as the equivalent of
someone who has lost a driver’s license, applies for a new one, and then
finds the old one.
Also at Friday’s hearing, De la Rionda and O’Mara asked the judge to
stop the public release of witness names and statements made by
Zimmerman to police officers. Those documents normally are part of the
public record under Florida law.
Lester said he would order the release of the documents once he has
reviewed them and has redacted items that are not subject to disclosure
under the state’s public records law.
--more--"
Also see: George Zimmerman surrenders to police in Florida
Lawyer says Zimmerman didn’t intend to deceive court
Lawyers release Zimmerman’s police interviews
Didn't even read 'em, folks. Sorry.
