Florida Circuit Judge Jessica Recksiedler, who presided over the Trayvon Martin shooting case, removed herself on Wednesday after the attorney for defendant George Zimmerman argued she had a possible conflict of interest relating to her husband. Judge Kenneth M. Lester Jr. will preside over the case, including the bail hearing on Friday for Zimmerman, according to a news release from the court. Lester, 58, is a Chicago native and graduated from the University of Florida College of Law in 1980, a year behind special prosecutor in the case Angela Corey. Lester is a Vietnam combat veteran and is married to Orlando prosecutor Dorothy Sedgwick.
Recksiedler’s husband works with Orlando attorney Mark NeJame, who was contacted by Zimmerman’s family to represent him. NeJame declined but referred the Zimmerman family to defense attorney Mark O’Mara, who is now representing Zimmerman. O’Mara said he requested Judge Recksiedler to step down now because the case is just starting and he wanted any possible conflict of interest addressed right away rather than in the middle of the case. Zimmerman, a 28-year-old Florida neighborhood watch volunteer, is charged with second-degree murder for the February 26 shooting of unarmed 17-year-old Martin. Zimmerman claims he shot the teen in self-defense after Martin attacked him. If convicted, Zimmerman could face life in prison.
