George Zimmerman's wife charged with perjury
/From [HERE] Authorities say the wife of Trayvon Martin's killer is being accused of lying to a judge about their finances during his bond hearing and faces one count of perjury.
An order issued Tuesday by assistant state attorney John Guy charged Shellie Zimmerman for knowingly making false statements during the April hearing. George Zimmerman has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the shooting. He was granted $150,000 bond at that hearing and released.
The judge revoked that bond earlier this month after state attorneys argued that both Zimmerman and his wife had lied to the judge about their finances, especially about money raised from a website. George Zimmerman is presently in jail.
Judge Issues Written Order Revoking Zimmerman's Bond - 2nd Hearing Set June 29th
From [HERE] The Zimmermans spoke about the money "in code" during recorded jailhouse phone calls, prosecutors said. Then, Shellie Zimmerman told the judge during her husband's bond hearing that the couple was essentially destitute.
"It is apparent that [Shellie] Zimmerman testified untruthfully at the bond hearing," the judge writes in his order. "The Defendant also testified, but did not alert the Court to the misinformation." "Had the Court been made aware of the true financial circumstances at the bond hearing, the bond decision might have been different," Lester wrote. "Most importantly, though, is the fact that he has now demonstrated that he does not properly respect the law or the integrity of the judicial process," Lester wrote.
After finding out about the discrepancy, the judge said he was left with two options: Increasing Zimmerman's bond, or revoking it.
The judge writes that his considered several factors, most of which weighed against Zimmerman.
Among them, "this is a serious charge for which life may be imposed; the evidence against him is strong; he has been charged with one prior crime, for which he went through a pre-trial diversion program, and has had an injunction lodged against him" for domestic violence.
"Most importantly, though, is the fact that he has now demonstrated that he does not properly respect the law or the integrity of the judicial process," Lester wrote.
The only factors that "heavily weigh in his favor," Lester wrote, are "that he turned himself in upon the issuance of the original warrant and has kept authorities abreast of his current location."
Zimmerman turned himself in again promptly after Lester revoked his bond. He remains in the Seminole County jail. A second bond hearing is set for June 29 in Sanford.