George Zimmerman, accused for shooting Trayvon Martin, will remain behind bars after a three-hour bond hearing.
This is the accused second bond healing. His previous bond for $150,000 was revoke when Judge Kenneth Lester ruled that Zimmerman and his wife, Shellie, had misled the court when explaining their personal finances.
During the three-hour hearing on Friday, attorneys on both sides argued the details of the case and Zimmerman’s credibility.
Mark O’Mara, his defense lawyer, argued that Zimmerman had misled the court because he was confused and distrusted the justice system. He called several witnesses including Zimmerman’s probation officer and his father, Robert.
The lawyer said Zimmerman should have stopped his wife lying to the court on 20th April, when she said the couple did not have any money. Zimmerman had collected donations online from supporters but omitted to even tell his defense team, at the time. They had access to at least $135,000.
According to USA Today reports, O’Mara said “I'm asking that you don't require him to spend a year in jail."
He continued "He should have jumped up and said she is lying. He should have done something, and he didn't."
On Friday assistant state prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda asked Judge Lester to keep Zimmerman in jail.
He said “They told the court they were indigent when in fact they had over $130,000.
“Now, you don't just have him committing a crime. You have him lying to the court through his wife."
Zimmerman, the self appointed neighborhood watch volunteer, is charged with shooting the unarmed 17-year-old, Trayvon Martin, on 26th February in a gated community in Florida. The teen’s family believe Zimmerman racially profiled the black teen and confronted him.
According to tweets released by his defense team, it is unlikely that Zimmerman will have a result from the hearing until next week, or later.
Here’s the MSNBC report on the hearing:
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6 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.merefalow | Jul 03, 2012, 02:47 PM EDT
mr Ephraimkibby,if you had read my previous posts you would have noted that i hoped this trial would be conducted quietly,soberly fairly and impartially,,,solely on facts and not the racial hysteria and speculation that has surrounded this case,in the interests, of ALL parties.but the hatred directed at Zimmerman and the distorted reportage almost precludes this,and i do have doubts that he will receive a fair trial because of a possible blacklash if he is not convicted,the danger and sensitivity of these types of trial can not be over emphasized. that's why i believe it will be easier for the authorities concerned to convict,and don't think they wont.even if he acted in self defense.
EphraimKibbey | Jul 03, 2012, 01:07 AM EDT
@merefalow - Unlike Treyvon Martin, George Zimmerman will have his day in court!
merefalow | Jul 02, 2012, 05:35 PM EDT
Zimmerman, is being railroaded,sacrificed on the altar of political correctness,running scared of a racial blacklash.
EphraimKibbey | Jul 01, 2012, 04:02 PM EDT
The first post is not by me. I failed to notice that it had no byline and it has stolen mine as I posted next. Briano, was that you? Maybe you should start signing your posts to avoid confusion and receive full credit for your insightful commentary. Or is your commentary INCITFUL?
EphraimKibbey | Jul 01, 2012, 03:52 PM EDT
I think that he could be considered a flight risk because when asked to surrender his passport he did so but failed to tell the court that he had a second one. $135,000, coded conversations with his wife while in jail and a another passport, maybe he had plans that did not include the court. He needs to go to trial and have his innocence or guilt decided there.
EphraimKibbey | Jun 30, 2012, 11:56 AM EDT
msnbc has no reporters just propagandists