SANFORD, Fla. -- It could be Monday before George Zimmerman will know if he'll get out of jail. A second bond hearing for the admitted shooter of Trayvon Martin wrapped up Friday without the judge making a decision.
Zimmerman walked into court, well-dressed and unshackled, and hoping to get out of jail for a second time. His first bond was revoked after it was discovered he and his wife didn't tell the court about more than $130,000 they had raised through online donations.
"They told the court they were indigent, when in fact they had over $130,000," said Assistant State Attorney Bernie de la Rionda. "And they used code, they used other words other than $9000 to make sure that whoever was listening wasn't aware of what was going on."
Zimmerman's Attorney, Mark O'Mara said, "He certainly regrets not having done that. And he's spent at least a month in jail because of it." O'Mara even offered a chance to have Zimmerman apologize to the court himself. But at the judge's order, Zimmerman did not take the stand.
"I think Judge Lester is understandably upset with what could be perceived as a lack of candor. However, I think the rules suggest that he should grant a bond," said O'Mara.
Trayvon Martin's parents walked into the Seminole County Courthouse, anxious to see if the man who admits he shot and killed their son would be let out of jail. They sat quietly as Zimmerman's attorney presented evidence that included a 911 call where you can hear the fatal gunshot. Trayvon's father just shook his head.
Zimmerman's father was in court, too, testifying the screams heard in that same call were his son's. "It was absolutely George's," said Robert Zimmerman.
"You can't lie to the court and think that America is gonna forget about it," said Martin family attorney, Benjamin Crump. And Crump raised the question, if Zimmerman lied about how much money he has, is he lying about what really happened the February night he came face to face with Trayvon? Was he really protecting his neighborhood from a prowler? Or was he racially profiling an unarmed teenager?
Trayvon's father Tracy Martin said, "We just feel like he was minding his business walking back from the store. If that's a crime, then I guess we all have been guilty of walking from the store.
Zimmerman's brother, Robert Zimmerman, Jr. said, "He's an honorable person really."
George Zimmerman is charged with second degree murder. He has pleaded not guilty, claiming the shooting was self defense.
The same lie that led to this second bond hearing, landed George Zimmerman's wife in jail, too. Shellie Zimmerman faces felony perjury charges. She is out of jail on bond and will be in court next month.
