George Zimmerman In Florida To Surrender; Legal Team Wants New Bond Hearing
Update: Zimmerman has turned himself over to the authorities.
George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer who shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, is back in Florida to surrender to authorities.
Zimmerman's return was announced on his website Sunday. His lawyer Mark O'Mara said that they had worked with the Sanford Police Department to ensure Zimmerman's safe return. Zimmerman has been living in a secure, undisclosed location since he was released on bond because threats were made against his life.
Zimmerman had until 2:30 p.m. EDT to turn himself into authorities after a judge revoked his bond Friday and gave him 48 hours to surrender. The judge's decision to remand Zimmerman came after they learned he and his wife may have deceived authorities by lying about their finances during a bond hearing in April. The two had said they could not cover the $150,000 bond. But prosecutors said Zimmerman had taken in more than $200,000 through a donation website set up for his legal defense.
Zimmerman has been charged with second-degree murder after shooting an unarmed Martin on Feb. 26. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge. Zimmerman has said he acted in self-defense as Martin had knocked him down and began beating him after being confronted in the gated community.
But the teenager's family believes Martin was racially profiled by Zimmerman when he was walking through the neighborhood, where he father lived.
The defense said they have plans to request a new bond hearing to talk about the court's concern about funding.
The defense team hopes that Mr. Zimmerman's voluntary surrender to Sanford police will help demonstrate to the court that he is not a flight risk, a statement on the website read. Furthermore, the vast majority of the funds in question are in an independently managed trust, and neither Mr. Zimmerman or his attorneys have direct access to the money.
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