Apr 20, 2012 2 Comments ›› Pat Dollard
I just watched live as the judge granted George Zimmerman bail at $150,000 and required some sort of electronic monitoring, no possession of firearms, no consumption of alcohol, a curfew of 7 PM to 6 AM, and if it can be worked out with the sheriffs, he will be allowed to reside out of state….developing…
SANFORD, Fla. – URGENT: A Florida judge said George Zimmerman can be released on $150,000 bail as he awaits trial for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.
Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester set several conditions Friday for Zimmerman’s release. He cannot have any firearms, drink alcohol or use drugs and must observe a curfew. The judge said details need to be worked out between Zimmerman’s attorney and law enforcement, and that Zimmerman will not be released Friday.
The judge said he would hold another hearing on whether Zimmerman could go out of state if details could not be worked out with law enforcement.
Zimmerman cannot have any firearms, drink alcohol or use illegal drugs and must observe a curfew between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Zimmerman surrendered his passport at the start of the hearing.
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SANFORD, Fla. – DEVELOPING: George Zimmerman took the witness stand Friday at his bond hearing, telling the parents of Trayvon Martin, “I am sorry for the loss of your son,” but standing by his claim that he killed the teen in self-defense.
Zimmerman, who is charged with second degree murder in the shooting death of Martin, made the brief statement during Friday’s hearing over whether he should be released on bail while he awaits trial.
Zimmerman told Martin’s parents, who were present in the courtroom, that he did not know that Martin was 17 and that he was unarmed during their February confrontation in a central Florida neighborhood.
“I did not know how old he was,” Zimmerman said. “I thought he was a little younger than I am. I did not know if he was armed or not.”
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George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer charged with killing 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, appeared in court today to ask to be freed from jail on bond until his trial for second-degree murder.
His wife, Shellie, testifying by phone says she is worried about his safety, but that she has “no concerns whatsoever” about him being a threat to society.
Update at 9:35 a.m. ET: Robert Zimmerman, the defendant’s father, says “absolutely not” when asked if he believes that his son is violent. He says his son, if facing a potentially violent situation would “turn the other cheek.”
He also says he would take out a second mortgage on his home to help cover the costof bail for George Zimmerman.
Update at 9:29 am. ET: Shellie Zimmerman says she had not seen her husband since the shooting incident because he was in hiding, but that she was in touch with him by phone daily. She says she did not go to him because of concerns about his safety. She says she also has concerns about her own safety.
Update at 9:21 am. ET: Prosecutor Bernie De La Rionda, focusing on the question of whether Zimmerman might be a threat to society, quizzes Zimmerman’s wife about his arrest earlier for allegedly striking a police officer.
Update at 9:19 a.m. ET: His wife says she has “no concerns whatsoever” that he might represent a danger to society if freed. But she says she does fear for his safety and the safety of his family.
Update at 9:17 a.m. ET: Zimmerman’s wife Shellie, says the family has discussed how to “scrape up” enough money for bail, if it is granted.
Update at 9:10 a.m. ET: Zimmerman’s family gives testimony by phone, beginning with his wife.
Update at 9:08 a.m. ET: Zimmerman’s attorney, Mark O’Mara, turns over his client’s passport to the court.
Update at 9:04 a.m. ET: Zimmerman, shackled, appears in court wearing a suit, white shirt and tie. He is clean-shaven, having removed his beard and mustache.
Original posting: Zimmerman, 28, has not disputed killing the unarmed teenager in Sanford, Fla., in February, but says it was self-defense.
Defense attorney Mark O’Mara indicated he would ask that Zimmerman be allowed to leave the area, if he is granted bond, because of concerns about his safety.
Among the issues that will be weighed is whether Zimmerman should be considered a flight risk and whether he would pose a threat to society.
Family members of Zimmerman’s are expected to testify by phone at the hearing.
A spokeswoman for special prosecutor Angela Corey’s office says she would not comment on whether Corey would object to Zimmerman being released on bond.
Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester was assigned the case after a previous judge recused herself because of a potential conflict of interest.
