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Judge to Zimmerman: Stay in jail for now

NEED TO KNOW
  • George Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder for shooting Trayvon Martin
  • On June 1, Zimmerman's bond was revoked
Judge to Zimmerman: Stay in jail for now

A judge will weigh evidence to decide whether George Zimmerman will be granted bond for a second time after he misled the court at the first bond hearing.

Zimmerman will wait in jail for Judge Kenneth Lester's ruling. He has been in jail since June 1 when Lester revoked his bond because he was less than forthcoming about his family’s financial status and his passport.

Zimmerman is facing a second-degree murder charge for shooting 17-year-old Trayvon Martin on February 26. Martin was returning from a convenience store and was unarmed. Zimmerman told police he shot the teen in self-defense. He has pleaded not guilty.

During Friday's hearing, forensic accountant Adam McGill testified that all of Zimmerman's transactions before his first bond hearing were done in a way "to make it appear (George and Shellie Zimmerman) don't have money," with amounts just under $10,000. 

McGill also said at the time of the first bond hearing on April 20, there was a total of $130,000 between Zimmerman’s, his wife’s and his sister’s bank accounts.

In deciding whether to grant Zimmerman bond a second time, the judge can consider several factors including but not limited to:

  • The likelihood the prosecution will be successful at trial
  • Is Zimmerman likely to flee the jurisdiction?
  • Zimmerman's financial resources
  • Zimmerman's mental condition, and criminal history

In an effort to show that the prosecution may not be successful at trial, defense attorney Mark O'Mara presented evidence during Friday's hearing of Zimmerman's injuries allegedly sustained during his confrontation with Martin. Sanford, Florida, firefighter Don West testified he was one of the first responders at the scene the night Martin died.

West said that Zimmerman's injuries were consistent with someone who was hit with a solid object, and that he recommended Zimmerman see a doctor within 24 hours because he may have needed stitches for his wounds.

READ MORE: Zimmerman is back in jail

READ MORE: Zimmerman’s attorney says his client is still entitled to bond

During the June 1 hearing, prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda said Zimmerman and his wife lied under oath when they said they had limited financial resources. The prosecutor pointed to the Zimmermans' jailhouse conversations that seemed to indicate the couple conspired to transfer money in an attempt to hide certain funds from the court.

Shellie Zimmerman is facing a perjury charge for her statements to the court.

READ MORE: Zimmerman's wife arrested

In Session contributor Sunny Hostin says Zimmerman’s defense attorneys may not want him to testify because he would be exposed to cross-examination.  There may be a way for Zimmerman’s wife to testify and explain the situation to the court instead of her husband taking the stand.

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