Trayvon Martin

Judge Kenneth LesterJr., is out and Judge Debra Nelson is in as the presiding judge in the State of Florida vs. George Zimmerman, shown below between his attorneys, Mark O'Mara and Don West. 

DAYTONA BEACH -- The presiding judge in the state's case against accused killer George Zimmerman in the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin has recused himself following a ruling by the 5th District Court of Appeal in the defendant's favor.

Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester, Jr. executed an order to "disqualify" himself from further proceedings in the State of Florida v. George Zimmerman.

Media pool photos by Orlando Sentinel / Accused killer George Zimmerman and his attorney, Mark O'Mara, are shown here in the June 29 bond hearing at the Seminole County Courthouse in Sanford where Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester heard arguments on why he should be granted bail after his truthfulness was called into question about his finances. The judge on July 5 granted $1 million bail. It was comments made by the judge in his bond order that riled Zimmerman's attorneys and prompted them to request he step down.

SANFORD -- The judge in the second-degree murder case against George Zimmerman is standing his own ground by refusing a defense motion to step aside. Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester Jr. issued his ruling this morning dismissing the defense request by defense counsel Mark O'Mara who had charged the judge was biased against Zimmerman because of remarks he made at his second bond hearing last month.