Shellie Zimmerman gets probation

[SuzieTampa]

She pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor perjury charge and got one year of probation. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/trayvon-martin/os-george-zimmerman-wife-shellie-plea-20130828,0,3608738.story

Her attorney made comments about the media having to wait for the next chapter and said it was very interesting when asked why GZ wasn't in court. It makes me wonder if SZ will divorce him, reclaim her maiden name and move elsewhere so that she can go on with a normal life.

[SuzieTampa]

Why is Rachel Jeantel not charged with perjury? Wasn't she under oath when she lied about her age and hospitalization?

[MJW]

The court documents for the plea agreement have been posted.

[unitron]

Why is Rachel Jeantel not charged with perjury? Wasn't she under oath when she lied about her age and hospitalization?

Strange as it may seem, not all lying under oath is considered perjury.

For instance, if she told the truth about what she heard on the phone, her age and medical records don't really matter.

And the jury was apprised of her false statements regarding those things, and therefore was able to decide if it affected her credibilty on the contents of the phone conversation.

[TalkLeft]

The court withheld adjudication of guilt and sentencing which means it's like a deferred judgment. If she successfully completes probation, she will have no criminal record  -- (unless she gets charged with another crime in the future and then it can be taken into consideration.) Explanation here.

A full version of plea documents (not in scribd) is here. Shellie's letter to Judge Lester is here.

It's a good deal, no reason not to take it. She can even do the community service at her church. But she will be subject to travel restrictions during the year.

[SuzieTampa]

Thanks to Unitron and Jeralyn for those explanations. ABC has an interview with her: http://abcnews.go.com/US/george-zimmermans-wife-felt-court/story?id=20103462

She gives more details about how they hid. She says she had had an argument with him the night before and was staying at her father's. She believes his account, expressed sorrow for TM's parents, isn't sure if their marriage will last and wants to speak up more.

She was interviewed by freelance investigative journalist Christi O'Connor, who is writing a book on the case. http://christioconnoronairwork.com/ An interview with O'Connor herself makes it sound like she looks unfavorably on GZ and the verdict, but that's just my opinion: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/08/george-zimmermans-wife-says-he-has-beaten-down-her-self-esteem/ Note that the headline attributes a quote by O'Connor to SZ.

[Cylinder]

It's a good deal, no reason not to take it.

I agree. The withholding adjudication is the cinch for this deal. With a criminal conviction - especially involving dishonesty - she goes to the back of the line in the nursing profession. That would make it harder to find employment at the desirable jobs, harder to get promoted into supervisory positions and harder to get accepted for professional certifications. A felony conviction would even delay her board exam until three years post-conviction.