Posted on 07/05/2012 9:01:28 AM PDT by jakerobins
SANFORD, Fla. - George Zimmerman, the man accused in the death of Trayvon Martin, was granted $1 million bond Thursday morning.
A second bond hearing in the George Zimmerman case was held Friday morning. More
In his ruling, Judge Kenneth Lester scoffed at the notion Zimmerman was confused at the time of his first bond hearing.
Lester said Zimmerman was "manipulating the system to his own benefit."
Zimmerman spent the 4th of July holiday behind bars after the judge could not come to a decision on whether to grand him bond at a hearing Friday.
Lester said he considered everything he heard at Zimmerman's bond hearing last Friday, and would make a decision Thursday. He decided $1 million was a fair amount.
(Excerpt) Read more at wesh.com ...
Agreed. The people are responsible.
The other website...
www.gzlegalcase.com
has updates and hearing exhibits
“So — to get out of jail he has to use $100,000 of his $211,000 defense fund which he will never see back. Thanks, Judge Lester.”
Surprised Judge Lester didn’t set it at $2,110,000. That would exactly deplete the defense fund, which is the obvious intent here. They really really really want to force a plea deal so they don’t have to try this turkey. If Zimmerman can stand it, he should stay in jail, pay his attorneys and shove this case back down their throats.
____________________________
Woof, woof...
I assume you mean Claire Wolfe, who wrote, “America is at that awkward stage. It’s too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards.”
Clair Wolf (a male) is suspected of trying to blow up his sister in July 2010. As an aside, I must admit I’d be tempted to go out on a bombing spree if my first name was “Clair.” Maybe you meant this guy?
Yes I did. And he obviously disagreed with the defense atty’s take on the evidence.
In fact, I think there is a decent chance he will dismiss the case after a Stand Your Ground hearing.
I’m not a lawyer, don’t play one and not really versed in the legal system. However, imo, GZ harmed any chance of getting a dismissal when he misled the judge in the bond hearing. That makes his word useless and he’s the only one the Judge could rely on as to what actually happened. Mislead me once, I’ll not trust your word in the future.
Now a jury may make a total different assessment in a trial. JMO.
If I had the spare cash lying around, I'd post bond for Zimmerman, as he doesn't seem like much of a flight risk. That is what the government tells us the purpose of bail is for right? To make sure the accused will show up in court? If it's real purpose is just to punish someone for being accused of a crime, they should just say so, and quit trying to claim otherwise. Even $150k bail is excessive unless the defendant can post the bond without having to borrow it from a bail bondsman. Otherwise, it's merely a tax of $15k that the defendant cannot recover.
The judge has decided to raise this tax to $100k apparently because $15k wasn't enough of a punishment for someone who it's pretty obvious will be vigorously defending himself in court.
Also, Zimmerman’s atty’s partner was on HLN earlier and he said this was an appropriate bail considering the circumstances.
He really is trying to compel a plea deal. His attorney should immediately file for an SYG hearing and get this thing on.
That's lawyer's code for "considering the judge". They have to say those things in that way --
In truth, the judge just sanctioned Mark O'Mara for allowing this to happen in his courtroom. The $100,000 will now go to the bail bondsman rather than toward O'Mara's fees. It's really a slap at him, but it might take awhile for him to realize it.
the judge is an elected official who WILL be up for reelection.
FL judges are also pushing to INCREASE the mandatory retirement age from 70 to 75. (IOW more senile judges)
It should be reduced or term limited at 20 years with special elections.
regardless:
Corey is playing games to try and push a plea deal. The judge is now playing into the political game.
Given the fact that evidence is now part of the court record, the judge can see for himself this is a loser case for the state.
I seriously hope there is a bond appeal.
“Lester said Zimmerman was “manipulating the system to his own benefit.”
Only judges are allowed to do that.”
Not true! Remember that Da Judge, Prosecution, and Defense - all see themselves as “Brothers in The Law”.
What is occurring is more of Adorno, ad nauseam, concept of Critical Theory. Keep criticizing and eventually Americans will give up on America.
How many still believed in justice in the American legal system after this race pandering Marsupial Magistrate has “balanced conflicting claims”?
I have a totally different take on this.
If he was trying to compel a plea deal he would have refused bail. The bail set, will take a big chunk out of the defense fund, but will not deplete it entirely.
Between what George has left and future contributions to the defense fund, he has enough to live in hiding until the trial. The condition that he stay in the county unless he petitions the court sounds tough, but all it really means is that he needs to petition the court. His attorney can probably do this in secret, and there is a good chance the Judge will grant it, just to keep him safe.
Sure, the extra bail cost seems punitive, and it is supposed to be. George lied to the court in the first bond heading and this is the punishment.
Don't forget, his lawyer has said he is taking the case pro bono. There will be no legal fees. There may be legal costs, but not fees. I expect the lawyer is rolling the dice a bit. If he is acquitted, there are civil suits galore with huge payoffs coming his way.
“Anybody actually believe there’s any shot any jury in the land would convict this guy of anything after THAT???”
Have you any familiarity with the deeply seated anti-0white racism in the majority of whites?
His sister has set up a site too: http://friendsofgz.com/
“I suppose this means the judge decided it was “fair” to confiscate virtually everything in Zimmerman’s defense fund
- doesn’t it take 10% (nonrefundable) to make bail?
If so, this won’t leave much to pay attorneys and provide living expenses for a couple forced to give up their jobs and home by a corrupt rasist injustice...”
We have the RICO laws to thank for this.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, ant eht persons or things to be seized.
So this judge says EFF the Bill of Rights, the highest law of the land, relying instead on a 5h1t load of preceding case law (equally malodorous).
Bill of Rights Enforcement and fully informed juries (nullification)!
That has all changed. MoM said so. He will now be paid out of donations. And Lesster just took half of those donations and gave it to the bailbondsman instead of MoM being paid.
Let's understand Lester's reasoning. He said in his order that since the bail is being paid with OPMs, there is no incentive for GZ not to run. It's not his hard earned money. So then explain why $100,000 of OPMs will be any more effective than $15,000 of OPMs in that regard.
The judge's reasoning for higher bond fails. The state is going to have to pick up much more of GZ's legal defense than it otherwise would have, thanks to Lester. A total of $1,000,000 is not out of the question.
She links back to the lawyers’ official defense fund website, not collecting money separately. Just wanted to make sure that was clear to all. Sis is not competing with lawyers’ fund.
As of 11:45 A.M. PDT, the lawyer’s defense fund sight does not list “bail” or “bail bondsman” as an approved expense.
As soon as it does, and it is perfectly clear that contributions can be used for this new bail, I will contribute.
Obviously —
So the prosecution can now just lay in wait, let the $100,000 bail be paid, then file another fictitious charge against GZ and he then loses all the money paid. Welcome to Justice -- Lester style.
So what? He is not special. He is charged with murder. He is like everyone else. He has to pay his atty with his own money or go with a publc defender. And no, the atty’s do Not have to say anything and that was Not “considering the judge.” His partner and O’Mara have both expressed great respect for the judge and the prosecutor. They could just leave it unsaid. You are saying they are liars and manipulative? I do not agree. Every lawyer commenting on this case express respect for both.
So what? He is not special. He is charged with murder. He is like everyone else. He has to pay his atty with his own money or go with a publc defender. And no, the atty’s do Not have to say anything and that was Not “considering the judge.” His partner and O’Mara have both expressed great respect for the judge and the prosecutor. They could just leave it unsaid. You are saying they are liars and manipulative? I do not agree. Every lawyer commenting on this case express respect for both.
The judge and prosecutor have seen evidence we have yet to see. Obviously they both feel there is enough evidence to convict. Hence the charge and the bail. The prosecution does not go forward like this unless they feel they have evidence for a conviction, in the interest of getting a conviction but also because of double jeopardy. They do not indict unless they feel they can get the conviction.
The court was aware of the pay pal account at the first hearing. Zimmerman’s wife stated she did know exactly how much was in the account, but tat the court could contact Zimmerman’s brother and get the exact amount.
IF the court was interested, getting the exact amount would have been very easy.
I don’t blame Zimmerman’s wife for not giving an exact amount, considering how the court has treated George. Image if she were off by few dollars the prosecutor would still have yelleed perjury!
So you are saying you want Zimmerman to be able to keep his cash and you want the tax payers to pay for his atty?? Our system does not work that way, thank goodness. As long as he has money in his acct, that money goes to his atty. Until that money is gone, he does not get a public defender. I cannot believe you are saying you want him to be able to keep his money and for the tax payers to pay for his atty. Do you feel this way about everyone charged with a crime. Let them keep their money. Tax payers will step in and pay for their atty?? I am so glad our system does not work that way.
You must be cut out of the same mold as Corey and BDLR — you’re good at making false accusations from no evidence. Go take a nap.
The only evidence that the judge has seen is what has been presented to him thus far by either BDLR or O'Mara. So what has BDLR presented to the court??? nothing but a charge, a speculation, and a theory in a court system where you are innocent until presented guilty. Do you believe in that system???
Punk judge deserving of NO respect. I hope he suffers in a big way because of his liberalism. How do these people live with themselves? What if his daughter gets gang raped by a bunch of you know who’s? Fitting!
Do not be rude to me. There is no reason to be. Good grief.
Then read before you post —
Understood. I hope the lawyer will use money from the “legal defense fund” for Zimmerman’s bail. But I also am waiting to read/hear that this fund will be used for this, or if they are going to set up another separate account for bail.
Correct me if my recall is faulty... Zimmerman did not testify at either bail hearing, did he?
If he did not, how can he be prosecuted for perjury? Did he sign a sworn statement that he did not know how much money was in the account? Or did he testify? I just can’t remember...
How could they release this bad evil man, he DOES NOT LOOK AT ALL LIKE OBAMA’S SON!
As far as I know he signed no sworn statement of what was in his account. If he had you can bet that it would be in the state's paper releases. But there is no such document.
But none of that seems to matter to Lester who gave the prosecution the green light today to charge him with being a potted plant when Shelly testified or misrepresenting his financial status. And when they do so, even after paying out $100,000 to the bailbondsman, he will again revoke bond.
I don’t see how Gov. Scott can intervene in this case. An unethical judge can be removed in due time but that time is not now.
The “manipulating the system” is a stupid and asinine as “he lied in court” and “silent like a potted plant”.
First... what happened to GZ constitutionally guaranteed rights?
GZ was not asked about the money in the paypal accounts that EVERYONE knew about.
Shellie Zimmerman was asked and said she didn’t know and gave them the name of the person who did.
Lester claims the defrauded the court by not disclosing how much money he, George Zimmerman had. In today’s rulings authored by Crump, he calls it other people’s money. So which is it Kenny boy?
The bottom line... this farce is to undermine SYG.
Time to send George some more money!
George fired his first lawyers.
However, one of them, Hal Uhrig, couldn't contain himself in the aftermath and unloaded his version of the case.
Now follow that up with his arrest and the failure of his next lawyer to firmly tie down his financial situation. We have conversations in the first bailbond hearing between MoM and the judge about the Paypal money and how or whether it can be used. Everyone on planet earth knew that there was Paypal money, and the judge implies in his own words that he is not sure whether that Paypal money can be used for bail, that it depends how the account was set up. None of the professionals in the court that day seem any too concerned with the precise amount of money in the account -- only getting SZ on record saying something, anything, even "I don't know".
If the judge didn't know and MoM didn't know, the SZ's "I don't know" seems to have been perfectly understandable.
It was all done to impeach SZ as a witness so she could not testify again in court on her husband's behalf. Read the transcript. 90% of her time was spent denying the state's accusations against her husband for his RO and incident with an undercover officer. I doubt that MoM had spent any time prepping either of them for court that day.
This is the sort of stuff that spawns a revolution...
<>The bottom line... this farce is to undermine SYG.<>
And GZ has a lawyer who hates SYG. Could that explain his part in this farce:
http://theconservativetreehouse.com/2012/07/06/ive-no-more-tongue-to-bite/#more-43435
He never testified at the bond hearing about the Paypal money. He has every right under that Constitution that we supposedly hold dear to remain silent.
That makes his word useless and he’s the only one the Judge could rely on
If GZ is such a liar then why does the judge believe him when he says that he shot TM [allbeit in self defense]. The judge even admits in his order that this is the one indisputable fact in the case. Well it's indisputable because GZ stepped up to the batter's box and admitted it, BUT if he's such a liar how can the judge possibly believe him with that admission. Hmmmm -- he's credible when he admits he shot TM, but not credible when he says that it was in self-defense, all because he exerted his right to remain silent on the bond issue??? How does the judge get to pick and choose what words of his to believe???
It seems our forefathers knew that and gave us rights to protect us from just such tyrannies, but when it comes to the application of such rights, we all go weak-kneed.
I would love to put all the high and mighty who have fallen for the potted plant accusation to change places with GZ and see if you might think that no matter what you said or how you said it or how many times to how many people, you would still be called a liar by people who know you are telling the truth but for political/personal/financial reasons cannot admit it.
Both Hal Uhrig and Craig Sonner had appeared multiple times in the news media on GZ's behalf. But I was shocked when I learned how little actual communication had actually taken place between lawyers and client. From a post on 10 April:
Zimmerman attorney’s Craig Sonner and Hal Uhrig give lengthy press conference announcing that they no longer represent George Zimmerman in the Trayvon Martin shooting incident of Feb 26, 2012. Sonner & Uhrig both state their announcement was based primarily on calls both received from State Attorney Angela Corey’s office informing them Zimmerman contacted the State Attorney’s office today telling the SA that [neither] Sonner nor Uhrig were his attorney’s. Uhrig and Sonner said that while they did assist Zimmerman’s father in setting up a bank account for pay-pal donations to go into and a website on behalf of Zimmerman, they did not establish the web site “TheRealGeorgeZimmerman,” nor did either have access to or control over any donations made to George Zimmerman through Pay-Pal.
Apparently, GZ's inability to communicate effectively with counsel (or counsel to get it out of him or even counsel to surf the web) continued with his new lawyer. According to this post on Friday, 27 April, it was not until 25 April that Mark O'Mara learned of the PayPal account:
O’Mara said he was only aware of two accounts maintained by Zimmerman’s friends containing about $2,700. He found out about the PayPal accounts on Wednesday night.“In talking to George [Zimmerman], after I was trying to shut down his full Internet presence because of some impersonators and other problems with Twitter and Facebook, he asked me what to do with his PayPal accounts,” O’Mara said Thursday during the CNN T.V. interview.
“I asked him what he was talking about, and he said those are the accounts that had the money from the website he had, and there was about $200,000 to $204,000.”
Sheesh!
Everyone on planet earth knew that there was Paypal money,
Yep, and they knew it at the first bond hearing, and, although Shellie Zimmerman declined to give an estimate of the balance, she did offer to bring her brother-in-law into consultation. But the offer was declined.
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