Welcome to the Hood
Sunday, April 15, 2012 at 5:56PM 
I thought I’d show you around the neighborhood where George Zimmerman will be spending a good part of his time until — or unless — things change. He does have a bond hearing on Friday.
Orange County is run differently than Seminole. In Orange, the sheriff’s office is responsible for maintaining peace at the courthouse, just like in Seminole. In Seminole, the office also maintains the jail. Not so in Orange, which is one of the few counties in Florida that has its own force. The jail is about 5-miles away and defendants must travel to and fro when ordered to appear in court.
The Orange County Courthouse is conveniently located in downtown Orlando, where there’s lots of parking and nearby restaurants — many within walking distance. The Seminole County Courthouse is a mere 4.5 miles from me, straight up US 17-92. The jail is in its backyard, on the same property.
Unfortunately, the courthouse and jail are not within walking distance of any restaurants, and even driving to nearby spots is somewhat of a pain. My guess is that whenever the big show comes to town, meaning the trial, there will be a battery of catering trucks available. If there’s a trial.
The Seminole County Courthouse is not nearly as large as its sister in Orange county, but it has a somewhat majestic appearance in its simple elegance. It sits alone, in scale, at least, because there are no other tall structures nearby, like in downtown Orlando. Seminole County is very small compared to Orange.
CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE
To the right of the courthouse, Bush Blvd. winds around the back to the jail.
On the other side of boulevard is the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office building.
To the jail…
You can see the back of the courthouse:
This is the visitation center:
The Intake facility. You don’t want to go through those doors…
The back end of the jail:
Hopefully, my 50 cent tour gives you a halfway decent idea of what we will most likely get used to seeing for the time being. I don’t think this case will take three years to run its course like Casey’s arrest and trial, but most importantly, I don’t believe that George Zimmerman will be sitting in jail the whole time like she did, either. Why? The fact remains, he did turn himself in to authorities voluntarily, and he did so before the charges were formally laid out. That should give him a decent chance at bonding out by the end of this week. Since his arrest, the furor has died down and I no longer feel his life is in grave danger. Well, for the most part, anyway, but I guess it will mostly hinge on whether the New Black Panther Party (NBPP) still has a $10,000 bounty on his head. A lot of people could use the extra money these days, and it stretches well beyond the barriers of ethnicity. I sure would hate to see him turn into a martyr.
Dave Knechel | in 18th Circuit Court, Dave Knechel, David B. Knechel, David Knechel, Florida, Florida Rules of Criminal Behavior, Florida’s Government in the Sunshine, Forensic Entomology, Frank George, George Zimmerman, Marinade Dave, Marinade Dave Knechel, Seminole County, Seminole County Courthouse, Seminole County Jail, Seminole County Sheriff''s Office, Technology, Terri Moulton Horman, Trayvon Martin, Zimm v. Slimm, marinadedave | Share Article 
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Reader Comments (16)
Looks as though Mr. Zimmerman has a very different gated community to watch over these days. I fear that the Prosecutor has overshot the mark here, just like the Anthony case. Manslaughter would have sufficed. That cream puff couldn't murder a doughnut, which might explain his failure at a career in law enforcement.
I love your humor... a very different gated community to watch over...
Murder in the second degree does seem a bit high, but I wonder how much we don't know. As for murdering Trayvon, I tend to agree with you, but my guess is that had Trayvon thrown Skittles at George, that may have frightened him enough to shoot. Actually, just pulling a bag out of his pocket could have been all it took.
Dave I have a good friend who was with the Miami Police department for a number of years. He believes that this prosecutor is shrewd and is holding a few cards that we do not know. He said that he thinks that she may well have the forensics to show that Travon was NOT shot at close range as in chest to chest close. He also thinks that if the blood splatter and entry wound forensics who that he fired at say 3 feet or more. That along with the screams may mean that she hit the target ( no pun) with second degree charge
Good points, Porky, but I would think that that is so plainly obvious that the Sanford PD would have arrested Zimmerman. If true, then I believe that the Sanford PD and first SA needs to be investigated (and I do mean for racism, too!). Something like that-the distance between Trayvon and Zimmerman-is too elementary to not press charges against Zimmerman.
Hi Porky3100 - I think both sides hold cards we know nothing about. That's always the intriguing part. I just wonder if this will come down to a war of words, with nothing concrete coming from either side for the jury to make a solid determination. If that's the case, the defense wins. I do find it compelling that, while most TV legal analysts are siding with the defense, no one is grasping the notion that it's because most of those pundits are, themselves, criminal defense attorneys.
I think it would be naive to think that the special prosecutor did not interview the Sanford police involved in this case. I also think it would be naive to think that the police would not side with the prosecution in almost every case - in the end, anyway. My guess would be that part of the prosecutor's decision to charge Zimmerman came from what the police revealed.
Dave. Very astute observation regarding opinions of the defense lawyers and to echo your point, just about every prosecutor that I have heard in the media also said they would charge 2nd degree.
This reminds me of when I was first diagnosed with Prostate cancer about 5 years ago ( cancer free today). The Surgeon told me that surgery is the best way to reduce the growth but when I went to the radiation Dr told me that radiation was the most effective way to deal with it since the growth was so small.
Obviously biases come with advanced training and this is what we are seeing with the varying Attorney opinions. I will venture to say this though, Corey is likely more skilled than Hornsby in a courtroom. One other interesting observation Bill Schaeffer who is not running for office has sided with the prosecution. Go figure that one.
I'm very happy your prostate cancer is gone, Porky3100. That's something that scares me, for sure.
About Bill Shaeffer... he IS running for office. He wants to be a judge on the 9th Circuit Court and I support him wholeheartedly, despite living in the next county, meaning I can't vote for him. His siding with the prosecution doesn't surprise me one bit. Throughout the Casey Anthony case, he was pro-state all the way. (yes, pun intended.)
I too am a big fan of Bil land will surely vote for him.
Also check this out. Yikes! Just when things were starting to calm down in Sanford
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-04-17/news/os-george-zimmerman-terry-jones-rally-20120417_1_pastor-terry-jones-gainesville-pastor-qurans
I guess my work is cut out for me on Friday and Saturday, Porky3100. That guy's a kook.
We need some opinions from prosecutors. Thing is, they usually don't give their opinions on cases unless they are retired. Where's Ashton?
I saw Ashton somewhere on this, Sherry. It could have been JVM, but I think I was on the phone and missed it. Maybe Nancy Grace. But yes, we definitely need the other side of the coin. Well, there IS Bill Shaeffer.
Hi Dave,
Haven't posted in along time, however I stop in to read. I still enjoy your articles. Very well written, keep up the great job.
As far as Bill S. according to Hal the TV guy, Bill Sheaffer, former WFTV analyst, bows out of judicial race
“I’ve halted the campaign and I have to devote time and resources to my family,” Sheaffer said. He cited his brother and niece, who have both fallen ill.
Sheaffer said he realized he couldn’t balance those family needs and the rigors of a campaign or the requirements of office. He had been running for Ninth Judicial Circuit Court Judge (Group 7) in Orange and Osceola counties.
Darn, Janet, I hadn't heard that. Too bad, because he epitomizes what a great judge should be, just like Stan Strickland. Bill has never has a bad thing to say about anyone.
I'm glad you still stop in to read, and it's always a pleasure seeing you whenever you feel like leaving a comment. There are lots of people who read and never write a word, and that's OK with me. I will do my best to keep up the work quality. Thank you for enjoying, and thank you for writing. You are always welcome, you know.
I'm not about to watch JVM or NG on this case. There's been enough information manipulation for dollars as it is! I did have NG on the other night as I was setting the TV alarm and she was spewing misinfo wanting to make sure people knew that Zimmerman was saying "coons" even though it had been shown 2 days earlier that that was not what was said. Her guest kept trying to remind her of that, too.
Ah, Bill is always honest in his assessments.
I know that JVM and NG can be aggravating at times but they do have some good guests. I'm partial to Mark NeJame, myself. In my opinion, Zimmerman did not say coon. That's what Corey wrote on the indictment, too. He said said, "those f*cking punks" according to the affidavit. But you know who loves drama.
Ken Lester named new judge in Zimmerman murder case
Thanks, Snoopy, I've been writing, so I didn't know that.