George Zimmerman’s wife Shellie was arrested for perjury on Tuesday in connection with her husband’s bail hearing. George Zimmerman’s bail was revoked after Judge Kenneth Lester discovered that Shellie lied about the couple’s financial situation.
Shellie testified that the couple had limited funds while concealing more than $100,000 Zimmerman had collected from website donations. The warrant issued on Tuesday referenced Shellie’s testimony in the hearing as the basis for her arrest.
The prosecution already has recorded conversations between George Zimmerman and Shellie making cryptic references to their finances. To prove that Shellie is guilty of perjury, the prosecution will have to show that she knew about the funds raised at the now deactivated “TheRealGeorgeZimmerman.com.”
Shellie and George Zimmerman allegedly make coded references to the existence of more money than she eventually reported to the court. Whether they were talking in code or not will be a key determination. It also seems unlikely that Shellie will raise an affirmative defense. Prosecutors were the first to alert the judge of the Zimmermans’ unreported funds and there is no evidence that her testimony was coerced.
If convicted of perjury, Shellie could face up to one year in prison as well as a $1,000 fine. She posted bail shortly after being arrested and the court has not yet set a hearing date. Her husband George Zimmerman is currently awaiting a second bail hearing, set for June 29.
Related Resources:
- George
- Zimmerman’s wife charged with perjury (Associated Press)
- Zimmerman
- ‘does not properly respect the law,’ judge says in order revoking
- bond (Orlando Sentinel)
- Perjury (FindLaw)
- Judge
- Orders Zimmerman to Jail for Lying to Court (FindLaw’s
- Blotter)
You Don’t Have To Solve This on Your Own – Get a Lawyer’s Help
Civil Rights
Block on Trump’s Asylum Ban Upheld by Supreme Court
Criminal
Judges Can Release Secret Grand Jury Records
Politicians Can’t Block Voters on Facebook, Court Rules
