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Trayvon Martin's Killer, George Zimmerman, Released On $150,000 Bond
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 23, 2012
Modified Apr 23, 2012
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By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 23, 2012
Modified Apr 23, 2012
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Earlier this morning, George Zimmerman was released from Seminole County jail, where he had been in custody for the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman's $150,000 bond was paid, and the Orlando Sentinel reports, "The 28-year-old walked out of the jail wearing a brown Pittsburgh Steelers jacket and carrying a brown paper bag. He quickly got into the back seat of a white BMW and was driven away. He did not comment to reporters, who were kept at a distance."
Zimmerman has been charged with second-degree murder for fatally shooting Trayvon on February 26. The teen had been walking through a gated townhouse community in Sanford, Florida—to his father's girlfriend's house—when an armed Zimmerman started to follow him around. Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch captain, called the police to say, "There's a real suspicious guy. This guy looks like he's up to no good or he's on drugs or something," and was told he didn't need to follow the teen. Yet Zimmerman shot Trayvon, who was just carrying Skittles and iced tea.
The Sanford Police Department never arrested Zimmerman, because of Florida's "Stand Your Ground" laws that allow residents who think they are being threatened to protect themselves. But the lack of an arrest or any substantive investigation sparked national outrage. Earlier this month, prosecutors finally charged Zimmerman, saying he profiled and confronted Trayon.
The Miami Herald notes:
As with the July 2011 release of Casey Anthony, the Florida woman acquitted of murder in the death of her young daughter, Zimmerman was released around midnight. But the similarities end there. Anthony was quickly whisked away by deputy sheriffs armed with rifles as angry protesters jeered her. While news helicopters briefly tracked her SUV through Orlando before she slipped from public view, there was no such pursuit of Zimmerman, who will have to return for trial.
Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester said at a hearing Friday that Zimmerman cannot have any guns and must observe a 7 p.m.-to-6 a.m. curfew. Zimmerman also surrendered his passport.
Zimmerman had to put up 10 percent, or $15,000, to make bail. His father had indicated he might take out a second mortgage.
However, Zimmerman's family has not disclosed how much has been raised through a website set up by a relative. Famous defense attorneys have free advice for Zimmerman: Get out of Florida, keep a low-profile and don't be alone.
Last week, at a bail hearing, Zimmerman apologized to Travyon's family, "I want to say I am sorry for the loss of your son. I did not know how old he was...I did not know if he was armed or not." (A lawyer for Trayvon's family said it was "insulting to the family...This is the most unmeaningful apology we've ever seen in our entire lives.")
A lawyer for Trayvon's family said today, "It's tough for them to see their son's killer walk free again."
Tagged
florida
george zimmemran
murder
sanford
shooting
stand your ground
trayvon martin
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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