Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester, the man that revoked George Zimmerman’s bond, revealed in his written statement released Monday that it was “apparent” that Zimmerman’s wife had lied under oath, and it was clear that Zimmerman “does not properly respect the law.”
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Lester revoked Zimmerman’s bond on June 1st, but his written order was filed Monday and in it, Lester lays out his rationale.
Lester sent Zimmerman back to jail after prosecutors alleged that he and his wife conspired to hide from the court about $135,000 Zimmerman had collected in donations to his website.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, the Zimmermans spoke about the money “in code” during recorded jailhouse phone calls, prosecutors said.
In Lester’s order, he wrote:
“It is apparent that [Shellie] Zimmerman testified untruthfully at the bond hearing…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.”
After finding out about the discrepancy, the judge said he was left with two options: Increasing Zimmerman’s bond, or revoking it.
Lester wrote that he considered several factors, most of which weighed against Zimmerman, saying:
“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.”
Zimmerman turned himself in again after Lester revoked his bond. He remains in the Seminole County jail and a second bond hearing is set for June 29 in Sanford.
