Second Try at Recusal|in Trayvon Martin Case

SANFORD, Fla. (CN) – On appeal, Trayvon Martin’s killer George Zimmerman asked again to recuse the judge sitting on his case.      In a 1-sentence order on Aug. 1, Seminole County Judge Kenneth Lester rejected Zimmerman’s motion to disqualify him, finding his attorneys’ reasons “legally insufficient.”     On Monday, Zimmerman’s attorneys appealed to Florida’s 5th District Court of Appeals in Daytona Beach, claiming that “gratuitous, disparaging” remarks Lester made in bond hearings demonstrated bias.     Lester agreed to release Zimmerman on $150,000 bond in April, then revoked bond upon learning that Zimmerman and his wife had failed to reveal they had raised more than $150,000 from public donations. Zimmerman’s wife Shellie was charged with perjury in June.     In July, Zimmerman was released again, on $1 million bond.     Zimmerman, a Neighborhood Watch volunteer, shot the unarmed, black 17-year-old Martin in February and claimed self-defense. Protests followed across the nation, as the Sanford police did not arrest Zimmerman for more than 6 weeks after the fatal shooting.     Zimmerman has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder. He is being monitored and is in hiding in Seminole County.     The next hearing in the case was set for Oct. 3, but proceedings will be delayed until Florida’s 5th District Court decides whether to hear the appeal.