Zimmerman's Wife Pleads Guilty to Perjury

Shellie Zimmerman plead guilty to a misdemeanor perjury charge today, in a plea deal that will allow her to avoid prison. Zimmerman had been charged with felony perjury for lying during a bond hearing for husband George. She told judge Kenneth Lester that she and her husband were broke, when they'd actually taken in $130,000 in online donations. The felony charge could have landed her as much as five years in prison, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

It also would have prevented Shellie Zimmerman, who is almost done with nursing school, from actually nursing for three years. But prosecutors decided that since she had no prior convictions, they'd cut her a break. She was sentenced today to a year of probation and 100 hours of community service. She'll also have to write an apology to Lester. George Zimmerman, meanwhile, is asking Florida to reimburse up to $300,000 in legal costs. (More Shellie Zimmerman stories.)