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George Zimmerman jail calls: Florida authorities release documents
Florida authorities have released a trove of evidence against George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer who is accused of killing unarmed teen Trayvon Martin, including jailhouse recordings and bank statements.
The jailhouse recordings are between an incarcerated Zimmerman and his wife. In one recording, Marin tells his wife to buy bulletproof vests for them and for his attorney.
"As uncomfortable as it is, I want you wearing one," George Zimmerman told his wife.
Zimmerman was wearing a bulletproof vest when he left jail after posting bond. His attorney, Mark O'Mara, has reported receiving threats.
The calls, released by prosecutors, also detail how Zimmerman instructed his wife to transfer money from bank accounts and could play a crucial role in his second bond hearing next week.
Authorities allege that Zimmerman's wife, Shellie Zimmerman, lied to a judge about the amount of money she and her husband had in order to post bond after her husband's initial arrest.
During testimony, Shellie claimed that she and her husband had no money to post bond, but claimed to not know how much money had been raised on the Internet for a legal fund for George. His bond was revoked in early June.
Shellie was arrested and charged with perjury on June 12 in connection to what the court says were false statements about the amount of money she and George had.
However, the charging documents say that in a series of phone calls between Shellie and George while he was incarcerated, they alluded to significant funds they had in a bank account. Authorities also say that credit union records obtained by the state indicate numerous transfers totaling thousands of dollars.
The couple also talked about how they would whisk Zimmerman away from the Seminole County Jail once he was released in April, and discussed using a rental car to drive to a hotel parking garage.
There, they would change into another rental car to throw off anybody who tried to follow him.
Shellie Zimmerman told her husband that the website had crashed because of supporters leaving words of support, as well as donations.
"Wow, that is awesome," Zimmerman said. "Those people need to start vocalizing themselves."
Prosecutors originally had planned to release 151 of Zimmerman's jailhouse calls, but O'Mara objected.
A hearing over their release is set at the same time as Zimmerman's bond hearing next week.
"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," O'Mara said on a website for Zimmerman's legal defense.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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