George Zimmerman watches video of his own re-enactment of his actions leading up to the shooting of Trayvon Martin during his second bond hearing at the Seminole County Courthouse - Friday, June 29, 2012.
A judge has set bond for George Zimmerman at $1 million Thursday morning. Defense attorney Mark O'Mara said Friday that Zimmerman's legal defense fund had a balance of $211,000, more than enough to cover the 10-percent non-refundable portion charged by most bonding companies.
Judge Kenneth Lester had been working through the July 4 holiday and gave his decision to his clerk to type first thing this morning. He had been looking over evidence presented to him June 29 in determining the bond decision.
It’s unclear if Zimmerman will be able to pay the bond amount. Zimmerman’s attorney Mark O’Mara had originally requested $150,000 for bond.
Included in the judge's order, if Zimmerman is released on bond, he will have to obey certain conditions.
- He will refrain from criminal activity
- He is not allowed to have any contact with victim's family
- He will have electronic monitoring
- He will not be able to leave Seminole County without authorization
- He will have to check into officials every 48 hours
- He will not be able to enter Orlando-Sanford International Airport property
- He will not be able to open or maintain a bank account
- He is not allowed to drink alcohol
- He will have to obey a curfew between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- He will not be able to apply for or obtain a passport
The judge said Zimmerman tried to manipulate the system.
Under any definition the Defendant has
flaunted the system. Counsel has attempted to portray the Defendant as
being a confused young man who was fearful and experience a moment of
weakness and who may also have acted out of a sense of "betrayal" by the
system. Based on all of the evidence presented, the Court finds the
opposite, the Defendant has tried to manipulate the system when he has
been presented the opportunity to do so.
Trayvon Martin's parents released a statement regarding the bond ruling.
Trayvon’s parents would rather that the killer of their unarmed child remain in jail until the trial, however they respect the ruling of the court and the strong message that the judge sent that deference to judicial integrity is paramount to all court proceedings. Furthermore, they understand that this is not a sprint to justice, but a long journey to justice that they must bear for their son Trayvon.
Last Friday, Zimmerman appeared in courtroom 5D without handcuffs and shackles and wearing a shirt and tie.
Zimmerman had been let out of jail once before on April 23. However, just over a month later, the judge revoked his bond after he said Zimmerman’s wife, Shellie, misled the court on finances related to a website set up to collect donations. The only excuse given by O’Mara was that Zimmerman was confused and afraid.
Shellie has since been charged with perjury.
Zimmerman is facing second-degree murder charges over the February 26 death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
