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No Bail for Zimmerman as Judge Deliberates

By Andrew Chow, Esq. on June 29, 2012 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

George Zimmerman remains in jail with bail revoked, as a judge considers arguments for and against releasing the accused murderer before trial.

Judge Kenneth Lester told attendees at a court hearing in Sanford, Fla., on Friday he needed more time to weigh the evidence, the Associated Press reports.

Zimmerman's lawyer Mark O'Mara "briefly considered calling his client to the stand, but ultimately decided against it," according to the AP. The Zimmerman defense team's Twitter feed, however, provided a slightly different take:

"#zimmerman wants to make a statement, but judge won't allow it with out [sic] opportunity for cross examination from state," the @GZLegalCase Twitter account told followers at 11:48 a.m. ("DUH!" read one follower's reply.)

Judge Lester revoked George Zimmerman's bail, initially set at $150,000 in April, after prosecutors argued his wife Shellie misled the court about the couple's finances. Shellie Zimmerman was arrested on a perjury charge and was released after paying $1,000 bond. Her next court date is July 31, the AP reports.

George Zimmerman, 28, is accused of second-degree murder in the killing of Trayvon Martin, 17, in February. A trial date has not yet been set.

At Friday's hearing, Judge Lester gave no hint as to when or how he would rule on George Zimmerman's new bail request. On one hand, Zimmerman allowed the court to be misled, Lester has said; however, he did promptly turn himself in when ordered and had complied with the conditions of his initial release.

In arguing for George Zimmerman's release on bail, O'Mara also asserted Zimmerman is neither a flight risk nor a threat to the community. Those are among the factors a Florida judge can consider in deciding whether to grant bail.

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