Zimmerman Phone Calls Released

The neighborhood watchman who fatally shot Trayvon Martin had serious concerns bout his wife’s safety according to jailhouse recordings released today. As previously reported, George Zimmerman is currently incarcerated at the Seminole County Jail after his bond was revoked for deceiving the court about his finances and possession of a second passport. Following that, his wife Shellie was also brought to jail after being accused of perjury. Prosecutors alleged that Shellie helped her husband hide up to $150,000 that they collected from a Paypal account run by supporters.

Now the prosecution has taken things a step further and released private phone calls between the husband and wife. In the calls, a jailed Zimmerman tells his wife that he wants her to wear a bulletproof vest for protection. “As uncomfortable as it is, I want you wearing one,” he said. Additionally, in the phone calls he talks in code about her moving money between his bank accounts and changing a computer password at a local credit union.

Most notable, however, is one exchange between the couple when they discuss Zimmerman being transferred from jail if he makes bond. According to the Orlando Sentinel, after noting that they could rent two vehicles to make a safe departure, his wife asks how he’ll disguise himself, to which he replies, “Well, I have my hoodie,” a possible joke, referring to the hooded sweat sweatshirt Trayvon Martin was wearing the night he was killed.

Before Monday’s release, the prosecution planned on releasing all 151 recorded phone calls between the Zimmermans. Zimmerman’s attorney, Mark O’Mara, objected. “It is our contention that the calls are not only irrelevant to the charges against Mr. Zimmerman, but they could jeopardize friends and family of Mr. Zimmerman who are unrelated to the case,” read a statement from O’Mara. –danielle canada