# Zimmerman's charged with perjury **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 13, 2012, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zimmermans-charged-with-perjury/624975 "2012-06-13T00:27:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rat\_avatar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rat_avatar/32/255_2.png) [@rat\_avatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rat_avatar)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zimmermans-charged-with-perjury/624975/1 "2012-06-13T00:27:34Z")
Shellie Zimmerman that is. I don’t want this thread to be about the Martin/Zimmerman case as it is only tangentially related but I don’t quite understand why someone would commit perjury for their spouse. Sure support them and do what you can to protect them but is there any rational reason get your family in deeper water? [ > [@](#): > > “If Mrs. Zimmerman intentionally structured the financial transactions in a manner to keep the offense under $10,000, not only may she have committed perjury in the state case, but she also may have run afoul of several federal statutes and could face serious federal criminal charges,” ]([The Seattle Times | Local news, sports, business, politics, entertainment, travel, restaurants and opinion for Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.](http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2018415532_apusneighborhoodwatchperjury.html)) ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zimmermans-charged-with-perjury/624975/2 "2012-06-13T00:30:03Z")
This was such a stupid thing to do. Not only is she facing criminal charges, this has to put a big dent in his credibility when he goes to trial. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zimmermans-charged-with-perjury/624975/3 "2012-06-13T00:32:07Z")
What’s the debate? You’re shocked that someone would commit perjury for the person they are married to? Obviously, she thought she could get away with it. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zimmermans-charged-with-perjury/624975/4 "2012-06-13T00:32:56Z")
This is quite a bit different from lying to protect your spouse from being thrown in jail (giving a false alibi, for example). Shellie Zimmerman apparently lied to protect her money. She transferred large amounts of money from George’s account into her own. While it may have been illegal, and wrong, people do a lot of crazy things when they are worried about money. Perjury and structuring are pretty low on the scale of things people do to get and especially to hang on to their money. ---
**Author:** ![rat\_avatar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rat_avatar/32/255_2.png) [@rat\_avatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rat_avatar)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zimmermans-charged-with-perjury/624975/5 "2012-06-13T00:39:01Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > What’s the debate? You’re shocked that someone would commit perjury for the person they are married to? Obviously, she thought she could get away with it. Actually I am, especially in this case where it is likely that he would be found not guilty. I could never imagine asking a loved one to do this or not expressing my disapproval strongly if I found out they were doing it. I fully admit I may be Naive. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zimmermans-charged-with-perjury/624975/6 "2012-06-13T01:00:35Z")
Any transcripts anywhere to read _exactly_ what she was asked and what her response was? I’ve seen general summaries in the media where she replied some version of “I don’t know” to some question about finances. If someone asked me, under oath, “ **Iggy** , how much money is in your bank account right now?”, I could only reply honestly with “I don’t know.” Sometimes “I don’t know” is an honest answer. Depends on the question If asked “ **Iggy** ,do you have more than $50 in your bank account now?”, then my reply would be a definite “Yes.” If asked “ **Iggy** ,do you have more than $500,000 in your bank account now?”, then my reply would be a definite “No.” Start getting close to what I would estimate the actual balance to be and you’d get an “I don’t know” for an answer. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zimmermans-charged-with-perjury/624975/7 "2012-06-13T01:05:56Z")
> [@Iggy](#): > > Any transcripts anywhere to read _exactly_ what she was asked and what her response was? I’ve seen general summaries in the media where she replied some version of “I don’t know” to some question about finances. [The OP linked to an article that details what they did](http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2018415532_apusneighborhoodwatchperjury.html) (although he put the link in a quote, which made it easier to miss). I haven’t seen an exact transcript, but she was arrested because they told the court they didn’t have much money when they had raised a large amount for his defense, and the prosecutors say the transcripts show the Zimmermans discussing the sums of money in code to make it sound like they’re discussing smaller amounts of money. There are quotes in the article. ---
**Author:** ![J\_Cubed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@J\_Cubed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J_Cubed)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zimmermans-charged-with-perjury/624975/8 "2012-06-13T01:20:08Z")
> [@Iggy](#): > > Any transcripts anywhere to read _exactly_ what she was asked and what her response was? I’ve seen general summaries in the media where she replied some version of “I don’t know” to some question about finances. > > If someone asked me, under oath, “ **Iggy** , how much money is in your bank account right now?”, I could only reply honestly with “I don’t know.” Sometimes “I don’t know” is an honest answer. Depends on the question > > If asked “ **Iggy** ,do you have more than $50 in your bank account now?”, then my reply would be a definite “Yes.” > > If asked “ **Iggy** ,do you have more than $500,000 in your bank account now?”, then my reply would be a definite “No.” > > Start getting close to what I would estimate the actual balance to be and you’d get an “I don’t know” for an answer. Here’s a direct download link to a pdf of the evidence: [http://thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Zimmerman-Motion-to-Revoke-Bond.pdf?mobile=nc](http://thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Zimmerman-Motion-to-Revoke-Bond.pdf?mobile=nc) I guess you operate pretty fast and loose with your finances, **Iggy** , but if I were going to testify in a bond hearing for my wife, the currently most famous person charged with murder in the country, I guarantee you I would have some detailed information on our finances in hand. Unless, of course, I had a secret slush fund I was trying to hide. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zimmermans-charged-with-perjury/624975/9 "2012-06-13T01:33:38Z")
OK. Found a[partial transcript](http://www.scribd.com/doc/95589259/Zimmerman-April-20-2012-Hearing-Transcript) from the G. Zimmerman bond hearing. Only has 5 of 27 pages but covers the questioning about funds from the website. It is not clear who is doing the questioning. In part the transcript reads: > [@](#): > > Q. Okay. Were you aware of the website that Mr. Zimmerman or somebody on his behalf created? > A. I’m aware of that website. > Q. And **how much money is in that website right now?** How much money as a result of was – > A. Currently, I do not know. > Q. Who would know that? > A. That would be my brother-in-law. > Q. And is he – I know he’s not in the same room as you, but is he available so we can speak to him, too, or the Court can inquire through the State or the Defense? > A, I’m sure that we could probably get him on the phone. > Q. Okay. So he’s not there now. > A. No, he is not, sir. > Q. Do you have any estimate as to how much money has already been obtained or collected? > A. I do not. > Q. Okay. You haven’t talked to your brother-in-law in terms of just bare amount of how much money? > A. No. No, I have not. > Q. Okay. And how long has that website been in existence, ma’am? > A. I do not know. I have not been with my husband since he’s been in hiding. I do not know. > Q. Okay. So you mentioned your husband was in hiding. I understand he left the state, is that correct? > A. Okay. And did you continue to have contact with him while he was out? > A. Yes, every day. > Q. And that was every day? > A. Yes (emphasis mine) Hmmm… In a nutshell she says I don’t know how much is in the account now. Ask my BIL. He’s the one who knows. Not sure that rises to perjury. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zimmermans-charged-with-perjury/624975/10 "2012-06-13T01:38:22Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > This was such a stupid thing to do. Not only is she facing criminal charges, this has to put a big dent in his credibility when he goes to trial. Surely the prosecution could not possibly introduce this. Shelley Zimmerman playing some illegal tricks with money hasn’t any bearing at all on George Zimmerman shooting Trayvon Martin. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zimmermans-charged-with-perjury/624975/11 "2012-06-13T01:39:28Z")
> [@J\_Cubed](#): > > … > I guess you operate pretty fast and loose with your finances, **Iggy** , but if I were going to testify in a bond hearing for my wife, the currently most famous person charged with murder in the country, I guarantee you I would have some detailed information on our finances in hand. Unless, of course, I had a secret slush fund I was trying to hide. I was always taught to answer only the question that is asked and to answer it truthfully. And that it is a lawyer’s responsibility to ask the right question. ---
**Author:** ![rat\_avatar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rat_avatar/32/255_2.png) [@rat\_avatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rat_avatar)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zimmermans-charged-with-perjury/624975/12 "2012-06-13T01:43:42Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Surely the prosecution could not possibly introduce this. Shelley Zimmerman playing some illegal tricks with money hasn’t any bearing at all on George Zimmerman shooting Trayvon Martin. If you read the linked document he was an active participant, in the criminal case probably not but for the bond hearing on the 29th of this month you bet it will be used. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zimmermans-charged-with-perjury/624975/13 "2012-06-13T01:52:41Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Surely the prosecution could not possibly introduce this. Shelley Zimmerman playing some illegal tricks with money hasn’t any bearing at all on George Zimmerman shooting Trayvon Martin. “You know George, we don;t want to lock your wife up for conspiracy. We want to settle all this right now. How about if you plead guilty and we just let the little lady go? How does that sound to you, George?” ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zimmermans-charged-with-perjury/624975/14 "2012-06-13T01:58:40Z")
> [@Iggy](#): > > Hmmm… In a nutshell she says I don’t know how much is in the account now. Ask my BIL. He’s the one who knows. Read the earlier part of the transcript. She says they cannot make bond and that the Zimmermans don’t have funds to assist in his defense. (And she says she doesn’t know how much money they’d raised from the site.) Meanwhile they had raised something like $135,000 for his defense from their website. > [@RickJay](#): > > Surely the prosecution could not possibly introduce this. Shelley Zimmerman playing some illegal tricks with money hasn’t any bearing at all on George Zimmerman shooting Trayvon Martin. They discussed how much money was in the account while she was telling the judge they were more or less broke, so it’s not clear to me that this was all her doing. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zimmermans-charged-with-perjury/624975/15 "2012-06-13T02:12:17Z")
What a low down awful dirty trick. Any doubts left that they are going after George with both barrels? I’m clerking at a law firm this summer and at every deposition, hearing, or trial someone perjures themselves. This is absurd, and a rotten trick. Not illegal, but rotten just the same. Anyone else think that these charges would disappear if old George pleads to manslaughter? Disgusting. ---
**Author:** ![al27052](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/41988e/32.png) [@al27052](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/al27052)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zimmermans-charged-with-perjury/624975/16 "2012-06-13T02:18:27Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > What a low down awful dirty trick. Any doubts left that they are going after George with both barrels? I’m clerking at a law firm this summer and at every deposition, hearing, or trial someone perjures themselves. This is absurd, and a rotten trick. Not illegal, but rotten just the same. > > Anyone else think that these charges would disappear if old George pleads to manslaughter? Disgusting. If it gets one more man-boy playing cops and robbers with a _real_ gun off the street…it’s not pretty, but neither was the death of Trayvon. Unless, of course, you’re the sort of person who shouldn’t be allowed to have guns…in THAT case, you might think Trayvon’s death was wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zimmermans-charged-with-perjury/624975/17 "2012-06-13T02:18:55Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > I’m clerking at a law firm this summer and at every deposition, hearing, or trial someone perjures themselves. Wouldn’t _that_ be the dirty rotten trick, not the act of prosecuting someone for perjury? Is it your contention that people lie about their finances at every bond hearing? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zimmermans-charged-with-perjury/624975/18 "2012-06-13T02:22:31Z")
> [@rat\_avatar](#): > > I don’t want this thread to be about the Martin/Zimmerman case as it is only tangentially related but I don’t quite understand why someone would commit perjury for their spouse. > [@al27052](#): > > If it gets one more man-boy playing cops and robbers with a _real_ gun off the street…it’s not pretty, but neither was the death of Trayvon. Unless, of course, you’re the sort of person who shouldn’t be allowed to have guns…in THAT case, you might think Trayvon’s death was wonderful. **al27052** , this thread isn’t about the shooting itself. We have plenty of threads on that subject. References to it are understandable but it’s not the primary topic, so don’t drag the argument in that direction. ---
**Author:** ![J\_Cubed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@J\_Cubed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J_Cubed)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zimmermans-charged-with-perjury/624975/19 "2012-06-13T02:25:58Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > What a low down awful dirty trick. Any doubts left that they are going after George with both barrels? I’m clerking at a law firm this summer and at every deposition, hearing, or trial someone perjures themselves. This is absurd, and a rotten trick. Not illegal, but rotten just the same. > > Anyone else think that these charges would disappear if old George pleads to manslaughter? Disgusting. To be fair, everyone agrees that he fired a handgun at a teenager, killing him. As a first approximation, manslaughter sounds quite appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zimmermans-charged-with-perjury/624975/20 "2012-06-13T02:27:39Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Wouldn’t _that_ be the dirty rotten trick, not the act of prosecuting someone for perjury? Is it your contention that people lie about their finances at every bond hearing? I’m not familiar enough with bond hearings to answer that. I do know that there is enough wiggle room that those aren’t really “assets” of the Zimmermans. They can’t be used to gamble away in Vegas. But that aside, it’s a nasty trick because everyone knows that a spouse will lie for her husband. Look at how Casey Anthony’s mom lied for her, but no perjury charges are forthcoming. And this isn’t even a lie about a major aspect of the case. Zimmerman isn’t a flight risk. He should be ROR. This is a scared woman looking out for her husband and not a dangerous criminal that the state of Florida has taken off of the street. Does anyone seriously think this isn’t to intimidate George? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zimmermans-charged-with-perjury/624975.md?page=2)