George Zimmerman Granted $150,000 Bond; Apology Outrages Trayvon Martin Family
Trayvon Martin's family is outraged after a Florida judge agreed to release accused murderer George Zimmerman on $150,000 bond during a court hearing on Friday.
Judge Kenneth R. Lester, Jr. set specific terms for Zimmerman's release which include electric monitoring via GPS, a curfew, no alcohol or gun possession but he also explained that the 28-year-old would not be released on Friday.
The self appointed neighborhood watch captain, who shot and killed 17-year-old Martin, offered an apology to the Martin family, however, they have not believed it to be sincere.
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"I wanted to say I am sorry for the loss of your son. I did not know how old he was, I thought he was a little bit younger than I am. And I did not know if he was armed or not," Zimmerman said in court.
Zimmerman had been in custody at Florida's Seminole County jail since Friday after being charged with 2nd degree murder in Martin's death, and will now be set free before his trial after he posts $15,000 - 10 percent of the required $150,000 bond.
"This is the most unmeaningful apology we've ever seen in our entire lives," Natalie Jackson, an attorney for the Martin family, told the Orlando Sentinel reporter.
Martin's family reportedly stormed out of the court room after Zimmerman was granted bond and they are said to be stunned by the judge's decision.
Martin, who was unarmed the night that he was killed by Zimmerman, was shot on Feb. 26 outside of his Sanford, Fla., home.
Zimmerman was not immediately arrested after the incident which sparked public outrage and prompted nationwide rallies with thousands calling for his arrest.
"I've never known him to be violent at all unless he was provoked, and then he would turn the other cheek," said Zimmerman's father, Robert Zimmerman Sr., who testified via telephone due to safety concerns.
Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, said that his client was not doing well, and was fearful that his life would be put at risk if he remained behind bars.
"There has been an upwelling of hostility and animosity towards him that can find its way to you in many different ways. So he's concerned because he's exposed to many people he doesn't even know," O'Mara said outside of a courthouse on Monday.
