George Zimmerman Apologies in Court, Judge Grants 150K Bond
Friday, April 20, 2012
By: Mark Simpson

April 20, 2012 | WMFE Judge Kenneth Lester set George Zimmerman's bond at $150,000 dollars today in a Sanford courtroom. Zimmerman's parents agreed to use their home as collateral for the bond. Attorney Mark O'Mara turned in Zimmerman's passport, and requested that his client be allowed to remain in hiding outside the state of Florida. The judge agreed to the request pending approval from State Prosecutor Angela Corey's office and the Seminole County Sheriff's office. Zimmerman will be monitored using GPS.

In an unusual move George Zimmerman took the stand and apologized to Trayvon Martin’s family who were attending the session.  Wearing a dark suit, tie, and arm shackles he said,

“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.”

The typically procedural hearing seemed at times to be a mini trial itself. After his apology state prosecutor Bernie De La Rionda hammered Zimmerman’s act, questioning why he waited for than fifty days to issue an apology.

Earlier in the proceedings State investigator Dale Gilbreath was called to testify and was questioned by Zimmerman attorney Mark O’Mara about the use of the word “profile” in the case’s probable cause affidavit.  At times it seemed the prosecution was unprepared for O’Mara’s withering line of questions.

Zimmerman will not be released today on.  Details remain to ironed out. He faces second degree murder charges, and potentially life in prison.

The case is set to resume next week on Friday at 9am.