George Zimmerman, left, and attorney Don West appear before Circuit Judge Kenneth R. Lester, Jr.
For the second time a Florida judge has set bond for George Zimmerman, but this time for a much higher amount than the original bond hearing in April.
Circuit judge Kenneth Lester has ordered Zimmerman, 28, who is charged with second-degree murder in the Feb. 26 shooting death of Trayvon Martin, released on $1 million bail, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Defense attorney Mark O’Mara told the court that Zimmerman had $211,000 available in his legal defense fund, well over the customary 10% of the necessary amount charged by most bail bondsmen. It remained unclear, however, when his release may be arranged. Currently, Zimmerman remains in Seminole County Jail under protective custody.
(MORE: Zimmerman to Remain Jailed Pending Judge’s New Bond Decision)
Zimmerman was released on $150,000 bail on April 20 based on testimony from his wife Shellie that the couple had no money to free him from jail. But it was revealed later that Zimmerman had raised more than $200,000 through a website set up for his legal defense, so judge Lester angrily revoked his bond and ordered him jailed again on June 1. Because of her testimony, which assistant special prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda has characterized as “misleading,” Shellie Zimmerman was charged with perjury and now faces a fine and jail time.
In court, De la Rionda argued that Zimmerman should remain jailed not only because he shot Martin, but because he and his wife tried to hide money they had by moving it from account to account. Zimmerman’s attorney countered, though, saying he should be released because he has a strong defense case. Zimmerman has maintained that he shot Martin after an altercation in which the teen bashed his head against the ground. Prosecutors say that Zimmerman shot an unarmed minor after profiling and following him, and after he had the chance to let police handle the situation.
Although judge Lester has ordered Zimmerman released, he has also prohibited him from having or opening a bank account, Additionally, the judge has required that Zimmerman wear a GPS device and obey a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
(MORE: Report Details Zimmerman’s Injuries on Night of Trayvon Martin Shooting)
Meanwhile, a medical report released this week states Zimmerman suffered no serious head trauma during his fight with Martin. The report said Zimmerman’s nose was broken, although his septum remained intact, and that he suffered two black eyes. He went to the doctor the day after the incident because he needed medical clearance to go back to work, the report adds. But Zimmerman did not need stitches and said nothing about headaches, or blurred vision, typical symptoms of a head injury. His head wounds were cleaned but did not require stitches, the report says.