George Zimmerman released on $150,000 bail (VIDEO)
George Zimmerman enters into the courtroom of Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester on April 20. 2012, in Sanford, Florida, for a bond hearing in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Judge Lester set a 150,000 USD bond for the pre-trial release of the neighborhood watch volunteer charged with murdering unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin. The judge also imposed certain conditions on Zimmerman’s release, including that he submit to electronic GPS tracking, a curfew and to periodically report to authorities.
George Zimmerman was released from jail around midnight Sunday after his lawyers and family posted bail, the Associated Press reported. Zimmerman left and did not talk to reporters. He was driven away in a white BMW.
Zimmerman is charged with shooting and killing 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida. Martin's parents say Zimmerman racially profiled their son, who was black, and Zimmerman's family says he shot him in self-defense. A national controversy erupted after Florida authorities did not immediately arrest Zimmerman. Since he said he had acted in self defense, authorities had to investigate further due to a sweeping state gun law known as "stand your ground."
According to CNN, Zimmerman's lawyer, Mark O'Mara, said the family would go into hiding because of threats they have received.
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Zimmerman was fitted with a GPS ankle bracelet, and authorities will track his movements even if he leaves Florida to go into hiding. His passport was also confiscated. The family of Trayvon Martin, who called an in-court apology Zimmerman delivered "disingenuous," was reportedly upset at his release.
"It's tough for them to see their son's killer walk free again," Martin family attorney Daryl Parks said.
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