New Judge Assigned to Zimmerman
Thursday, August 30, 2012
By: Matthew Peddie

Judge Debra Nelson takes over the case from Kenneth Lester, who was directed to step down Wednesday by the 5th District Court of Appeal

Judge Lester executed an order disqualifying himself from the case following the court of appeal ruling. George Zimmerman's attorneys said they were concerned their client wouldn't get a fair hearing from Lester after comments he made in a bond ruling.

Judge Lester set bond at $1 million after revoking an earlier, lower bond. In his ruling he said Zimmerman had "tried to manipulate" the system, after he failed to reveal to the court details of thousands of dollars he received through support websites during his first bond hearing.

Chief circuit judge Alan Dickey reassigned the case to Criminal Administrative Judge Debra Nelson.

Judge Nelson was first appointed as Circuit Judge in the 18th Judicial Circuit by Governor Jeb Bush in May 1999.