Florida Judge Removes Herself From Zimmerman Trial

(Reuters) - A Florida judge removed herself on Wednesday from presiding over the second-degree murder trial of George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer who shot and killed unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, according to a court news release.

Circuit Judge Jessica Recksiedler's move was expected. Last week, Recksiedler disclosed a potential conflict of interest in that her husband's law partner previously had been contacted by Zimmerman seeking representation. Recksiedler asked Zimmerman's lawyer, Mark O'Mara, to file a motion quickly if he wanted her off the case, which he did on Monday.

Recksiedler announced her recusal in a three-page order.