George Zimmerman, the neighbourhood watch volunteer accused of killing the unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin, has been ordered to return to jail after a judge revoked his bail on the grounds of deception.
The judge’s ruling came after prosecutors filed a motion accusing Mr Zimmerman of deceiving his original bail hearing about his finances and about holding a second passport.
Mr Zimmerman was granted bail on a $150,000 (£97,700) bond, a low figure given the charges, after lawyers argued that his family had limited funds. But prosecutors allege they failed to disclose an additional $130,000 raised by donations to a supporters’ website.
Mr Zimmerman was forced to surrender his passport in return for bail, despite his lawyers arguing that he did not present a flight risk. But prosecuters said on Friday he had failed to disclose a second passport obtained two weeks after the February 26 shooting.
Mr Zimmerman is pleading not guilty to second-degree murder, claiming immunity under Florida’s controversial self-defence laws. Mr Zimmerman shot the teenager during a confrontation at a gated community of townhouses in Florida, where Mr Zimmerman lived and where Mr Martin was visiting his father’s fiancée.
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The police decision not to charge Mr Zimmerman sparked nationwide protests and handwringing over race relations. The furore led to charges being brought against Mr Zimmerman in which prosecutors contended that he had racially profiled Mr Martin, confronting him for no other reason than the fact he was black.
Judge Kenneth Lester ordered Mr Zimmerman to return to jail within 48 hours after agreeing with the prosecution contention that he has received favourable treatment on the basis of false information. “He can’t sit back and obtain the benefit of a lower bond based upon those material falsehoods,” the judge said.