See what their conflicts of interest were
Florida Circuit Judge Jessica Rocksiedler removed herself on Wednesday from presiding over the second degree murder trial of George Zimmerman.
Zimmerman is on trial for killing the Florida teenager Trayvon Martin. The Trayvon Martin Judge, Rocksiedler, stepped down from the trial due to a conflict of interest, because her husband’s law partner had been previously contacted by Zimmerman to defend his case.
The next Trayvon Martin judge in line to preside over the case also had to deny due to a conflict of interest. Judge John Galluzzo passed the case down yet again because he used to practice law with George Zimmerman’s attorney, Mark O’Mara.
Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester Jr. will now take over as the Trayvon Martin judge, in a case which is sure to cause a media uproar.
The entire case of the neighborhood watchmen George Zimmerman rests on his claims of self-defense. Under Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law, if a person feels their life or harm to their body is evident they can then use deadly force to get out of the situation. Much media speculation has debated over the injuries of George Zimmerman that he claims were inflicted by Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman’s friends and neighbors backed his injury claims, “He was beaten to a bloody pulp that night, and he’s lucky to be alive. There’s proof of that,” said one friend of Zimmermans. “He took the pictures himself…to protect himself. He knew they would come back for him. He had a good idea this wasn’t over. He’s not a dumb man.”
The media attention has caused many to think the death of Trayvon Martin was race related but Zimmerman’s friend says evidence will prove otherwise, “You (the media) are going to feel pretty stupid when you see them,” he said. “Soon enough everyone will see the damage this kid did to his head. A lot of people are going to have egg on their faces.
A bond hearing is set for Zimmerman on Friday at 9 a.m. pending the availability of Judge Lester.
