Judge revokes Zimmerman's bond; Defendant will have 48 hours to turn himself in
by Rachel Delinski, Herald Editor
June 01 2012 at 1407 | 3145 views | 14 14 comments | 7 7 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Photo contributed by Orlando Sentinel – Judge Kenneth Lester speaks during George Zimmerman's April 20 bond hearing.
Photo contributed by Orlando Sentinel – Judge Kenneth Lester speaks during George Zimmerman's April 20 bond hearing.
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Judge Kenneth Lester ruled to revoke George Zimmerman’s bond during a hearing held today, giving Zimmerman 48 hours to turn himself into the court.

The decision, said Judge Lester, was based on the misrepresentation by both George Zimmerman and his wife Shellie Zimmerman during his bond hearing that they did not have any money.

It was learned shortly after the bond hearing held April 20 that Zimmerman had raised more than $200,000 through an account on his website, www.TheRealGeorgeZimmerman.com.

Evidence provided by Assistant State Attorney Bernie De La Rionda showed Zimmerman and his wife had conversations prior to the bond hearing where they discussed paying his bond with the money from the account.

De La Rionda also stated the couple went as far as using code words when discussing the funds, hoping police may not catch on. Those conversations were recorded calls made by Zimmerman from the Seminole County jail.

“This court was mislead to believe they didn’t have a single penny,” said De La Rionda. “I don’t know what other words to use other than it was a blatant lie.”

De La Rionda also pointed out although Zimmerman had allegedly surrendered a passport to the court – it was not his only one. The passport given to the court, he said, was one Zimmerman claimed to have lost years ago.

Zimmerman’s attorney, Mark O’Mara, argued the family was afraid to the use the money and even considered mortgaging both Zimmerman’s parents’ and grandparents’ home to post his $150,000 bond.

O’Mara also stated following the bond hearing Zimmerman’s family turned over the funds to his law firm to manage them. Since then, he said, the firm has kept an exact ledger of how the funds have been utilized.

O’Mara even argued that since Zimmerman was only 28-years-old and charged with a serious crime, he may have been unsure what to do. He also noted he was in possession of the second passport and had intended to make the court aware of it a month ago, but forgot to file the motion.

After revoking the bond Judge Lester said Zimmerman will be given a chance to testify about what happened.