George Zimmerman attends his first court appearance on April 12, 2012 in Seminole County court for the second degree murder of Travyon Martin. (Source: CBS4)
Travyon Martin
SANFORD (CBSMiami/AP) — There may be a conflict of interest involving the judge in the Travyon Martin shooting case.
The Florida judge who is overseeing the second-degree murder case involving neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman revealed a possible conflict of interest.
Circuit Judge Jessica Recksiedler said Friday during a hearing in Sanford, Fla., that her husband works with an attorney who referred Zimmerman to his current defense attorney, Mark O’Mara.
The lawyer who made that referral, Mark NeJame, is a well-known Orlando defense attorney who is serving as a CNN commentator on the case.
The judge asked O’Mara and prosecutors to file motions with their views on the possible conflict.
It’s not known if that will interfere with O’Mara’s plans to try and get his client out of jail.
A hearing for the 28-year-old probably will be held on April 20 to determine if he will be allowed to post bail and leave jail, O’Mara said late Thursday.
Prosecutors contend Zimmerman fatally shot the Miami teen in the chest during a confrontation on Feb. 26.
Zimmerman said he shot Martin in self-defense after Martin attacked him.
Zimmerman made his first court appearance Thursday afternoon in a Seminole County courtroom.
The lack of an arrest for more than 40 days led to protests nationwide.
(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
