The "judge" simply wants to give the prosecution the opportunity to badger the defendant while overruling any objections from the defense. It would be their Hail Mary and the defense knocked it down. The prosecution will say "silence = guilt" tomorrow which is weaker than "defendant admitted XYZ" (when he actually did not)
If the prosecution even mentions the fact that Zimmerman did not take the stand, it is immediate grounds for refusal.
The State cannot even mention the fact that the defendant does not take the stand.