Trayvon Martin Case: George Zimmerman returns to jail, attorney seeks new hearing
(CBS/AP) MIAMI - George Zimmerman is expected to seek a new bond hearing Monday after surrendering himself to authorities in Florida, his attorney Mark O'Mara said. Zimmerman was ordered back to jail Friday after a judge revoked his bond amid renewed questions about his finances.
Pictures: Trayvon Martin shooting
Zimmerman, 28, surrendered to Seminole County officers Sunday afternoon, 40 minutes before the deadline that Circuit Court Judge Kenneth Lester enacted after revoking Zimmerman's bond on Friday. Lester ruled that Zimmerman and his wife lied to the court about their finances in order to obtain a lower bond.
According to the Seminole County jail website, Zimmerman is being held without bail.
"He is in custody now," O'Mara said. "He's going to remain there until we get back before Judge Lester if and when he grants us a bond hearing."
The former neighborhood watch volunteer is charged with second-degree murder in the February shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in a gated community in Sanford, outside Orlando. Zimmerman pleaded not guilty, and has claimed he acted in self-defense under Florida's "stand-your-ground" law, which gives wide latitude for using deadly force if someone believes he or she is in danger of being killed or seriously injured.
Prosecutors said last week that Zimmerman raised about $135,000 through a website for his legal defense, but he and his had wife claimed they had limited funds during a bond hearing.
Prosecutor Bernie De la Rionda complained Friday, "This court was led to believe they didn't have a single penny. It was misleading and I don't know what words to use other than it was a blatant lie."
Defense attorneys said on Sunday that the matter is a misunderstanding. Zimmerman's legal team said the money raised is an independent trust that can't be directly accessed by him or his attorneys, according to a news release.
The judge said Friday he would schedule a hearing for Zimmerman to explain himself once he is back in custody. Zimmerman's legal team said Sunday they hoped Zimmerman's surrender will show he is not a flight risk. Legal experts told The Associated Press that Zimmerman's credibility could become an issue at trial, since the case hinges on jurors believing Zimmerman's account of what happened the night Martin was killed.
Benjamin Crump, an attorney for Trayvon Martin's parents, told the AP that his clients have always said Zimmerman should remain in jail until trial.
Complete coverage of the George Zimmerman-Trayvon Martin case on Crimesider
