Whether or not confessed killer George Zimmerman can legally be regarded as a murderer will be up to the courts, and a jury. What we do know today is that the Florida Circuit Judge who presided over Zimmerman’s first court hearing won’t be involved, having today recused herself due to a potential conflict.
The judge, Jessica J. Recksiedler, of Seminole County Circuit Court, signed an order removing herself from the case. In a filing on Monday, Mr. Zimmerman’s lawyer, Mark O’Mara, outlined a potential conflict because a law partner of the judge’s husband is under contract to provide analysis about the case to CNN. The judge disclosed last week that Mr. Zimmerman had approached the lawyer, Mark NeJame, about taking on his case. Mr. NeJame declined and recommended Mr. O’Mara. Judge Recksiedler will be replaced by Judge Kenneth R. Lester Jr., 58, who was first elected to the court in 1996.
The Times report states that Friday’s hearing, at which Zimmerman’s attorney will request bail be set, isn’t expected to be delayed.
Jamil Smith