George Zimmerman Released From a Florida Jail On $150,000 Bond

Sanford, Florida 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot to death in a racially-motivated attack. Residents of the central Florida city say the action was taken by vigilante George Zimmerman who has not been arrested., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

George Zimmerman released from a Florida jail on $150,000 bond

Neighborhood watch volunteer awaiting trial on second-degree murder charges

By Matthew Lysiak In Sanford, Fla. AND Bill Hutchinson / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Published: Monday, April 23, 2012, 12:20 AM

Neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman was released on $150,000 bail from a Florida jail late Sunday night, 12 days after he was arrested for killing 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

Zimmerman, 28, was let out of the Seminole County Jail just before midnight.

Carrying a brown paper bag and wearing blue jeans and a brown windbreaker, Zimmerman refused to comment as he quickly got into a BMW SUV and was whisked away, flanked by at least three police cars.

It was not immediately clear where Zimmerman was taken.

“Zimmerman posted bond and was fitted with an electronic monitoring device prior to release,” the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

Officials said Zimmerman’s GPS device will be monitored by the sheriff’s office and Seminole County Probation.

On Friday, Judge Kenneth Lester set bail and required Zimmerman to be fitted with an electronic monitoring device as part of his release.

Prosecutors had asked for $1 million.

Lester ordered Zimmerman to have no contact with Martin’s family and prohibited him from possessing firearms or drinking alcohol while awaiting trial on a charge of second-degree murder.

Zimmerman will also be on strict curfew and have to check in with authorities every three days.

During his bail hearing Zimmerman apologized to Trayvon’s parents, who were in the courtroom.

Zimmerman fatally shot Trayvon Feb. 26 during a confrontation in a Sanford gated community. He had reported the teen as looking suspicious to 911 just moments before the shooting.

Invoking Florida’s controversial “stand your ground” law, Zimmerman claims he shot Trayvon in self-defense.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/trayvon-martin-shooting-george-zimmerman-released-a-florida-jail-150-000-bond-awaits-trial-article-1.1065882#ixzz1spvuduhA