George Zimmerman Attorney Seeks Judge's Recusal; Bond Hearing Scheduled
George Zimmerman's defense attorney Marl O'Mara will likely file a motion for the judge, who was recently appointed to his case, to recuse herself due to a possible conflict of interest.
Seminole County Circuit Judge, Jessica Recksiedler, scheduled a status hearing on Friday just one day after Zimmerman's first court appearance to inform both O'Mara and special prosecutor, Angela Corey, that her husband works with an attorney who Zimmerman approached for legal representation, according to MSNBC.
Recksiedler's husband works in the same law office as attorney, Mark NeJame, who rejected Zimmerman's case for unspecified reasons before recommending O'Mara, his current defense attorney.
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"I wanted to disclose it to you as soon as possible, so as I became aware is why I set this status hearing this morning," Recksiedler said during the hearing.
Zimmerman, 28, was charged with 2nd degree murder in the death of unarmed student Trayvon Martin on Wednesday. O'Mara, who has only represented Zimmerman since Wednesday, expressed concern about Recksiedler acting as judge in the case.
"My concern is this, I think that Mr. NeJame is going to be extraordinarily active in how he both perceives and analyzes this case," O'Mara said.
Recksiedler then requested that O'Mara and prosecutors file motions with their views on the potential conflict of interest.
"If you choose to file a motion to disqualify me as judge, it has to be filed in writing for me to address it. If you do choose to file, we do have a bond hearing set for next Friday," Recksiedler said, asking that the motion be filed prior to April 20.
Zimmerman's formal arraignment was scheduled for May 29, and he is expected to appear in court on Friday April 20 when O'Mara requests a bond motion for his client.
The self-appointed neighborhood watch captain shot and killed Martin, 17, outside of his Sanford, Fla., home on Feb. 26. While the teen's parents insist that their son was profiled and murdered by Zimmerman, he maintains that he was attacked first and acted in self defense.
