Judge in George Zimmerman case offers to recuse herself

[my2sense]

Source: Yahoo

A Florida judge on Friday offered to recuse herself from the George Zimmerman case in a surprise hearing because of her husband's ties to a CNN legal analyst and commentator.

The Orlando Sentinel reports that Judge Jessica Recksiedler disclosed that her husband works for Mark NeJame, a prominent Orlando attorney, in the five-minute hearing Friday afternoon. In addition to working for his law firm, NeJame sounds off on the Zimmerman case for CNN. It's unclear if either attorney will take Recksiedler up on her offer and ask her to step aside.

NeJame said on CNN today that Recksiedler wants to avoid "the appearance of impropriety" with this disclosure.


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/judge-george-zimmerman-case-offers-recuse-herself-175152933.html

[appleannie1]

1. You have to give her credit. We would not want to find that out half way through the trial.

[Baitball Blogger]

6. Which goes to show you she's ethical.

Trust me. Lawyers who represent clients in this community have not only known to hide their conflicts, but have participated in conspiracies. They fear nothing, since they know that ordinary people have no where to go for recourse.

[monmouth]

2. I think this is an excellent idea. n/t

[PoliticAverse]

3. Perhaps she doesn't want to be a ringmaster. Not everyone does. n/t

[tularetom]

5. She may have aspirations of advancement in the judge bidness

And she sees nothing but peril to her ambitions if she hears this case. Whatever happens there are going to be a lot of pissed off people and some of their anger will be directed at the judge. Such criticism could make her radioactive if she were ever in line for an appeals court position so I'm sure she would like to toss this hot potato to one of her colleagues.

[Baitball Blogger]

7. I don't know how the rules are written,

but an outside judge with no political connections to either party would be the best choice.

[Posteritatis]

12. Or she was simply showing some integrity. Not everything is about political machinations. (nt)

[SemperEadem]

14. I think this is what it is

and good on her for leading by example. Too few do these days.

[marshall gaines]

4. ethical

a person in the judicial/police arena with ethics

[Broderick]

8. If I were a judge I would

take hasty steps to get away from it. It's a no win situation on any front, and I wouldn't want that responsibility. She lucked out being married to NeJame, whose fame really came from the Casey Anthony case.

[Justice wanted]

9. I think we should be concerned wit the terms "Rescues herself" Like this case is going to

destroy a judge's career.


The Judge herself did the right thing considering this is going to be EXTREMELY high profile.


BUT we should be concerned about articles using these terms.

[On the Road]

11. I Believe the Headline was Saying 'Recuse' Rather Than 'Rescue'

Recuse: (of a judge) Excuse oneself from a case because of a possible conflict of interest or lack of impartiality.

[Justice wanted]

18. My bad. My dyslexia at it again. Sorry.

[SemperEadem]

15. oh my

[Justice wanted]

19. Sorry dyslexia

[pasto76]

10. Occam's Razor

the simplest answer is most likely the correct one. She is trying maintain her integrity by being upfront. She didnt step aside, but offered to if either prosecution or defense wishes her to. Complete opposite of the Conservative justices in SCOTUS. which is a refreshing change. I dig that.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

13. "Zimmerman Sought Tiger Woods’s Lawyer"

April 12, 2012, 3:02 PM

Zimmerman Sought Tiger Woods’s Lawyer

http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2012/04/12/zimmerman-sought-tiger-woodss-lawyer/

Mark NeJame, the Florida attorney well-known for his representation of Tiger Woods, said in an interview on Thursday that he was asked to represent George Zimmerman about a month ago, but he declined to take the case because of time constraints.

On Wednesday, Zimmerman’s lawyers Craig Sonner and Hal Uhrig announced they were stepping down, saying at a news conference that they haven’t heard from their client and that “has gone out on his own” without consulting them.

Afterward, NeJame said, he was again approached by a representative for Zimmerman, who is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. NeJame again declined, but he suggested five lawyers, including O’Mara, who was hired.

“On the top of my list was Mark O’Mara, who I like as a person, is a friend, and who I respect tremendously,” NeJeme said, noting that he had a waiver from Zimmerman to discuss the case.

[totodeinhere]

17. It's good that Zimmerman has a competent lawyer. Regardless of what he

has been charged with, like any other citizen, he is entitled to a fair trail and competent legal representation. If he is convicted I don't want his supporters to be able to suggest that he was railroaded.

[bluedigger]

16. Good move on her part.

She establishes impartiality if neither side objects, and gives herself a chance to slip out of the spotlight if either side does object.

[JDPriestly]

20. She was a trial lawyer handling civil cases,

but she may not want to try make the kinds of evidence calls she will have to make.

Anyone else want to voice an opinion on this?

But the prosecutor could easily get someone worse.

[AndyTiedye]

21. This Trial Will Require the Utmost in Transparency. This is a Good Start