The Florida Circuit Judge presiding over the trial of George Zimmerman—the former neighborhood watch captain charged with second degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin—recused herself from the case today as was expected.
Judge Jessica Recksiedler told lawyers last week that she had a conflict of interest because her husband's law partner had been hired to work as an analyst on the trial for CNN. Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester Jr., who's been on the bench 15 years, will replace her.
Zimmerman's lawyer Mark O'Mara had called for a new judge on Monday, saying: "What I don't want to happen is to wait a month or two then find out what we thought was a potential conflict is an actual conflict." He had been expected to ask the judge to release Zimmerman on bond at a hearing Friday—but that hearing will likely be postponed now.
But what is happening soon that no amount of conflict of interests could stop? Our favorite extremist mustache enthusiast Pastor Terry Jones plans to hold a rally in Sanford on Saturday in support of Zimmerman. The subtle, dialogue-sparking name of that rally that is sure not to piss anyone off? "JUSTICE FOR ZIMMERMAN vs RACIST LYNCH MOB." At least we know the KKK won't show up for this one.
