I can’t help but think that the prosecution knows it had a poor case at best and that the judge knows it as well. If GZ walks then the prosecution is in the clear from the political point of view - they held the trial. The judge joined the prosecution team and did her best to ensure that GZ was convicted and if he is convicted she will be a hero until the appeals court slaps her down for her conduct. But that will all happen under the radar at that point. The state is in the clear because they got a trial. If GZ walks then they can blame six racist white women. A real setup to avoid riots at all costs. Never mind what happen to justice itself, but then that has not been a concern in the legal system for quite a few years.
Because it is FL and it is very hot down there, riots are less likely to happen.