According to reports, George Zimmerman’s attorney, Mark O’Mara, plans to file a motion today to have the judge in the case removed over a possible conflict of interests. It seems that in his search for an attorney to help hom stave off the 2nd degree murder charge, George Zimmerman asked one of Seminole County Judge Jessica Recksiedler’s husband’s colleagues to represent him.
It seems to me that there’s more behind the move to have Reckseider step down from the case. For starters, she has only been a judge for nine months, and there are legal experts and pundits who question whether a more experienced judge would be more appropriate for this high-profile. From my view, if she is fit to be a judge, then there should be no issue with her taking on this case in terms of her experience level. In fact, I’d suggest that “more experienced” judges might be more mired with the bureaucracy and politics of Florida law enforcement and legal systems, which in turn could increase the possibility of misconduct in the case.
As far as the conflict of interest claim, Reckseider’s husband was not in contact with George Zimmerman, so why should the fact that his colleague was contacted as a possible defense attorney have any bearing on her ability to provide a fair trial? Let’s face it, almost everyone in the country knows about the Trayvon Martin case, and many have had feelings one way or the other about the fact that Zimmerman remained free for 46 days. The question is whether the judge can set aside any preconceived notions and try the case on the merits of the facts presented. After listening to her explanation of the possible conflict of interests, why shouldn’t she be able to move forward as judge in this case?
“Mr. Zimmerman had contacted Mark NeJame to represent him prior to you, Mr. O’Mara. As I have disclosed previously, my husband works with Mark NeJame,” said Recksiedler during a status hearing last week.
O’Mara told WFTV that he does believe Recksiedler would give Zimmerman a fair trial, but under the circumstance he is not taking any chances.
O’Mara will ask Recksiedler to step down.
Source: WFTV
Will Zimmerman Bond Out?
George Zimmerman’s bond hearing is set for April 20th, so he could be released from jail within the next week if he’s granted a bond he can afford to pay for his release. I do, however, wonder whether this option is a good idea.
First, we know that there are people who are looking to enact some level of street justice upon Zimmerman for the murder of Trayvon Martin. Him being released from jail could give people who wish to do him harm easier access to him. How will his security be ensured if he bonds out? Whose responsibility is his safety? It might actually be safer for Zimmerman to remain in jail as he awaits his trial.
Second is the question of whether George Zimmerman as a potential flight risk. The defense would have you believe that Zimmerman doesn’t pose a flight risk because he turned himself in to Florida law enforcement upon the announcement that he’s be charged. But does this mean he wouldn’t attempt to run now that he’s facing the potential of life in prison? You never know…
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