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George Zimmerman bond hearing – live updates George Zimmerman bond hearing – live updates
(40 minutes later)
10.45am: Gilbreath says he has no evidence that conflicts with Zimmerman's suggestion that he turned away and went back to his car after talking with a 911 operator.
O'Mara is hammering on the paucity of evidence from the crime scene. He asks if there is any evidence that conflicts with the contention that "Mr. Martin assaulted first"?
Gilbreath mentions that one figure was chasing the other.
Now de la Rionda stands up.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know we were going to be trying the case today."
O'Mara highlighted moments from Zimmerman's statement that would seem to exculpate him.
De La Rionda is digging into the same statement to point out what he calls contradictions. These include the fact that Zimmerman's statement says he was scared, and yet he took off running after Martin.
10.43am: O'Mara: Do you know who started the fight?
Gilbreath: No.
Do you have any evidence that supports who may have started the fight?
No.
Now they're discussing Zimmerman's statement on the night of the shooting. O'Mara is summarizing.
Zimmerman said after the dispatcher told him not to follow, he went on until he saw a street sign, then went back "towards his car."
O'Mara: Did [Zimmerman] tell you who started the fight? What did he tell the officers?
Gilbreath: That he was the victim in this. ANd that it was Martin that confronted him, and assaulted him.
O: When did he say that?
G: The initial interview that was conducted at the Sanford P.D., within an hour and a half.
O: When he gave that statement, did he have any indication [of any witnesses]?
G: I don't know what he picked up from overheard conversations [after the shooting, before he went to the police department].
10.39am: Assistant state attorney Bernie de la Rionda is asking questions of state investigator Dale Gilbreath.
De la Rionda is asking Gilbreath about details of the alleged crime. He is running through the dramatic moments when the 911 operator advises Zimmerman he doesn't need to pursue Martin.
Gilbreath says the affidavit describing the scene was compiled from witness statements and evidence.
De la Rionda to Gilbreath: "Prior to that confrontation, Mr. Martin was minding his own business, correct?"
O'Mara: Objection your honor -- this is not in evidence.
The objection is sustained. De la Rionda amends his question to ask whether Trayvon Martin was armed. Gilbreath says he was not.
Investigators were monitoring Zimmerman "the whole time he was out of town," Gilbreath says.
Now O'Mara is asking Gilbreath questions again. He's driving at how long after the operator told Zimmerman not to follow Martin that the suspect "continued to follow" the scene.
Gilbreath: "We have a witness statement who observed shadows or figures running by her residence." He says he can't identify who they were.
10.31am: Two images from Seminole County Courthouse, where Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester Jr. is presiding over a bond hearing for George Zimmerman.
10.23am: O'Mara is taking what feels like an extremely fine-toothed comb to an affidavit produced by prosecutors in the investigation of the death of Trayvon Martin.
O'Mara is asking about the use of quotation marks and word choice in the affidavit.
Now O'Mara and investigator Gilbreath are talking about an unnamed witness in the case. Gilbreath says the witness was not interviewed until "five weeks" after the incident.
The affidavit describes the alleged crime. O'Mara is asking Gilbreath about one line, about the pursuit of Martin by "Zimmerman, who didn't want the person he falsely assumed was going to commit a crime to get away."
O'Mara is challenging other lines, such as "Zimmerman confronted Martin."
This debate points to potential difficulty in pinning down details in the case. The affidavit says "confronted." O'Mara: is there any evidence to support the word "confronted"?
Gilbreath says he could have used a different word.
10.14am: O'Mara is calling an investigator from the state's attorney's office to testify.10.14am: O'Mara is calling an investigator from the state's attorney's office to testify.
First to testify is investigator Dale Gilbreath. He says "I was not planning on testifying."First to testify is investigator Dale Gilbreath. He says "I was not planning on testifying."
O'Mara is asking Gilbreath about his background as an investigator.O'Mara is asking Gilbreath about his background as an investigator.
George Zimmerman is sitting erect at the defense table. He wears a gray suit and a gray tie. His head is shaved. He projects full attention, bolt upright and blinking.George Zimmerman is sitting erect at the defense table. He wears a gray suit and a gray tie. His head is shaved. He projects full attention, bolt upright and blinking.
O'Mara is asking Gilbreath about language Gilbreath used in an affidavit he wrote. The affidavit uses the word "profile" in reference to George Zimmerman's activities the night Martin was killed.O'Mara is asking Gilbreath about language Gilbreath used in an affidavit he wrote. The affidavit uses the word "profile" in reference to George Zimmerman's activities the night Martin was killed.
O'Mara is asking Gilbreath what he meant by "profile." The subtext is whether an assumption of racial prejudice colored the investigation of the alleged crime.O'Mara is asking Gilbreath what he meant by "profile." The subtext is whether an assumption of racial prejudice colored the investigation of the alleged crime.
Gilbreath and O'Mara are going round and round.Gilbreath and O'Mara are going round and round.
10.04am: Bernie de La Rionda, the prosecutor, is asking GLadys Zimmerman about her son's 2005 arrest on charges of assaulting ATF officers.10.04am: Bernie de La Rionda, the prosecutor, is asking GLadys Zimmerman about her son's 2005 arrest on charges of assaulting ATF officers.
He asks why George didn't follow the officers' orders. Gladys says George said the officers never identified themselves as such.He asks why George didn't follow the officers' orders. Gladys says George said the officers never identified themselves as such.
De la Rionda asks about the web site set up to help her son. She says she has no access.De la Rionda asks about the web site set up to help her son. She says she has no access.
Gladys Zimmerman's testimony is done.Gladys Zimmerman's testimony is done.
Zimmerman's family tesitifed by telephone with a notary public present to ensure they were alone in the room as they testified.Zimmerman's family tesitifed by telephone with a notary public present to ensure they were alone in the room as they testified.
The parents of Trayvon Martin are in court.The parents of Trayvon Martin are in court.
10.02am: O'Mara is asking Gladys Zimmerman about the time her son was arrested on felony battery and resisting arrest charges in the altercation with the officers, who were ATF officers.10.02am: O'Mara is asking Gladys Zimmerman about the time her son was arrested on felony battery and resisting arrest charges in the altercation with the officers, who were ATF officers.
She says George said he tried to find out why the ATF officers were "pushing around" his friend and the officers started to push George around.She says George said he tried to find out why the ATF officers were "pushing around" his friend and the officers started to push George around.
She says George is the kind of guy who will defend others. She says, in slightly imperfect English, that in 2010 "he find out that homeless person was being beaten by another man in the city of Sanford. He organized the whole community. He went to churches. He put fliers on cars ... for justice for this homeless man who was beating up."She says George is the kind of guy who will defend others. She says, in slightly imperfect English, that in 2010 "he find out that homeless person was being beaten by another man in the city of Sanford. He organized the whole community. He went to churches. He put fliers on cars ... for justice for this homeless man who was beating up."
O'Mara asks for other examples of George's selflessness.O'Mara asks for other examples of George's selflessness.
"I know that he is very protective of people, very protective of homeless people and also of children, no matter the race.""I know that he is very protective of people, very protective of homeless people and also of children, no matter the race."
She says her son was a mentor to a child in Orlando. She says he committed to the program for two years. THe program closed after 9 months. But George kept going to Orlando to take care of the two kids he was committed to.She says her son was a mentor to a child in Orlando. She says he committed to the program for two years. THe program closed after 9 months. But George kept going to Orlando to take care of the two kids he was committed to.
Gladys ZImmerman is describing her son George's work with youth. They are teens. SHe said she told her son not to go because "it's too dangerous." "It's a very dangerous place, where he goes to," in Orlando, she says.Gladys ZImmerman is describing her son George's work with youth. They are teens. SHe said she told her son not to go because "it's too dangerous." "It's a very dangerous place, where he goes to," in Orlando, she says.
The two kids George mentored were "African-American," Gladys says.The two kids George mentored were "African-American," Gladys says.
9.57am: Now Gladys Zimmerman, mother of George Zimmerman, is testifying. She is being sworn in.9.57am: Now Gladys Zimmerman, mother of George Zimmerman, is testifying. She is being sworn in.
O'Mara asks the questions first. She acknowledges the charges of second-degree murder against her son.O'Mara asks the questions first. She acknowledges the charges of second-degree murder against her son.
She says she is in frequent contact with George and wife Shellie. Is she concerned for his safety after his release?She says she is in frequent contact with George and wife Shellie. Is she concerned for his safety after his release?
"As a mother yes I do. Because we have received a lot of threats." She wants confidentiality if her son is released."As a mother yes I do. Because we have received a lot of threats." She wants confidentiality if her son is released.
O'Mara asks her about their savings. She echoes her husband's testimony, that they don't have savings but have some home equity.O'Mara asks her about their savings. She echoes her husband's testimony, that they don't have savings but have some home equity.
This is a Florida moment: a prospective second mortgage to pay a bond in a racially charged murder case.This is a Florida moment: a prospective second mortgage to pay a bond in a racially charged murder case.
9.51am: Defense atty. Mark O'Mara is now asking questions of George Zimmerman's father, Robert, who is describing his son's injuries after he shot Trayvon Martin.9.51am: Defense atty. Mark O'Mara is now asking questions of George Zimmerman's father, Robert, who is describing his son's injuries after he shot Trayvon Martin.
"His face was swollen quite a bit. He had a protective cover over his nose. His lips were swollen and cut. And there were two vertical gashes on the back of his head.""His face was swollen quite a bit. He had a protective cover over his nose. His lips were swollen and cut. And there were two vertical gashes on the back of his head."
He said he's seen pictures of the injury, on the news. But prosecutors never showed him photos.He said he's seen pictures of the injury, on the news. But prosecutors never showed him photos.
Robert Zimmerman is excused.Robert Zimmerman is excused.
9.49am: Robert Zimmerman has said his son is an honest man. The prosecutor asks him whether he is aware of a web site made for his son.9.49am: Robert Zimmerman has said his son is an honest man. The prosecutor asks him whether he is aware of a web site made for his son.
The father says he has nothing to do with the web site. He says he has no idea how much money has come in. "I have no idea if there's any money, how much money or who has access to it."The father says he has nothing to do with the web site. He says he has no idea how much money has come in. "I have no idea if there's any money, how much money or who has access to it."
The prosecutor asks Zimmerman about his son's medical history.The prosecutor asks Zimmerman about his son's medical history.
"I've had fairly limited contact with my son since his head was beaten [in altercation with Trayvon Martin]... I saw the scars on the back of his head and his face swollen the next morning... at his house.""I've had fairly limited contact with my son since his head was beaten [in altercation with Trayvon Martin]... I saw the scars on the back of his head and his face swollen the next morning... at his house."
9.42am: The hearing is being broadcast live on CNN. It is also available as a live stream here.9.42am: The hearing is being broadcast live on CNN. It is also available as a live stream here.
Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, was expected to argue for the suspect's release based on his good behavior since the shooting nearly two months ago. The suspect stayed in touch with law enforcement and has family ties to the area.Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, was expected to argue for the suspect's release based on his good behavior since the shooting nearly two months ago. The suspect stayed in touch with law enforcement and has family ties to the area.
Those ties include his father, Robert Zimmerman, Sr., who is now testifying.Those ties include his father, Robert Zimmerman, Sr., who is now testifying.
Robert Zimmerman is asked whether he can help his son post bond. He says he is a disabled veteran without much income or savings. He says his home has a mortgage on it.Robert Zimmerman is asked whether he can help his son post bond. He says he is a disabled veteran without much income or savings. He says his home has a mortgage on it.
O'Mara, the defense attorney, is asking the questions. He asked whether the father would take out a second mortgage on his home to secure his son's release. He says yes.O'Mara, the defense attorney, is asking the questions. He asked whether the father would take out a second mortgage on his home to secure his son's release. He says yes.
Now O'Mara asks: "Do you believe your son is a violent person?" "Absolutely not..." says dad. "I've never known him to be violent at all, unless he was provoked."Now O'Mara asks: "Do you believe your son is a violent person?" "Absolutely not..." says dad. "I've never known him to be violent at all, unless he was provoked."
9.30am: A bond hearing is currently underway at Seminole County Courthouse in Florida for George Zimmerman, accused of murdering Trayvon Martin. Here's what has happened so far:9.30am: A bond hearing is currently underway at Seminole County Courthouse in Florida for George Zimmerman, accused of murdering Trayvon Martin. Here's what has happened so far:
• Zimmerman's wife of five years, Shellie, has been cross examined by telephone. She is testifying to the suspect's past behavior.• Zimmerman's wife of five years, Shellie, has been cross examined by telephone. She is testifying to the suspect's past behavior.
• The defense and prosecution are asking Shellie Zimmerman about charges previously filed against George Zimmerman for felony battery on a law enforcement officer. She says her husband told her a man not in uniform was beating up a friend and that he did not know the alleged assailant, with whom he got in a physical altercation, was an officer.• The defense and prosecution are asking Shellie Zimmerman about charges previously filed against George Zimmerman for felony battery on a law enforcement officer. She says her husband told her a man not in uniform was beating up a friend and that he did not know the alleged assailant, with whom he got in a physical altercation, was an officer.
• Shellie Zimmerman said George Zimmerman was required to attend anger management courses. • Shellie Zimmerman said George Zimmerman was required to attend anger management courses.
• Zimmerman's attorneys are seeking bond to have him released before trial.• Zimmerman's attorneys are seeking bond to have him released before trial.