By Howard Packowitz

McLean County prosecutors will be able present to a jury circumstantial evidence about accused killer Kirk Zimmerman’s shrinking finances, and how he may have traveled to Indiana to buy a gun used to kill his ex-wife in Bloomington almost three years ago.

Judge Scott Drazewski ruled the prosecution can present testimony from an FBI financial analyst to offer opinions and analysis about Zimmerman’s finances, which authorities believe was a motive for him to shoot Pamela Zimmerman in her east side Bloomington office in November 2014.

Kirk Zimmerman allegedly feared that the money he owed her for child support would ruin his retirement savings. Assistant State’s Attorney Bradley Rigdon said Zimmerman was “hemorrhaging” money, outspending his income by about $1600 dollars a month.

Also, the judge is permitting the jury to learn about Zimmerman’s trip to Indiana shortly before the killing.

Prosecutors believe Zimmerman went there because it’s easier to buy a gun in the Hoosier state. Authorities said Pamela Zimmerman was shot multiple times with a nine mm handgun. Authorities have not found the murder weapon.

The next pre-trial hearing is scheduled for December 20th. It’s likely no trial date will be scheduled until an appeals court rules some time next year on the prosecution’s contention that the trial judge was wrong in barring some hearsay testimony from witnesses who claim Pamela Zimmerman was afraid of her ex-husband.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].