SANFORD, Fla. – The U.S. neighbourhood watch volunteer who killed unarmed black teen Trayvon Martin will remain in jail after the judge said Friday he would not immediately rule on bond in a case that set off national protests over race and self-defence laws.
Meanwhile, Zimmerman’s defence tried to weaken the prosecution’s case by calling his father to testify and playing an emergency call from the night of the shooting that featured a gunshot and screams.
The judge did not indicate when he might make a decision, saying he needed to weigh the evidence.
Zimmerman’s $150,000 bond was revoked earlier this month when prosecutors told the judge he and his wife misled the court about how much money they had. Prosecutors said a website Zimmerman created for his legal defence had raised $135,000, which was not mentioned. Zimmerman’s wife, Shellie, has been charged with perjury.
Zimmerman has been charged with second-degree murder in the 17-year-old Martin’s death during a dispute in a gated community. The 44 days between the shooting and Zimmerman’s arrest inspired nationwide protests.
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Zimmerman has pleaded not guilty and claims the shooting was self-defence under the state’s “stand your ground” law.
Martin’s parents and supporters say the teenager was targeted because he was black and Zimmerman started the confrontation. Zimmerman’s father is white and his mother is Hispanic.
At times, Friday’s hearing had the flavour of a trial, with both sides presenting what sounded like opening statements.
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Zimmerman’s attorney, Mark O’Mara, played a recording of an emergency call in which someone repeatedly screams “help” in the background. A gunshot is also heard.
George Zimmerman’s father testified that he was certain it was his son yelling for help.
Prosecutors argued they had evidence that Zimmerman was the aggressor.
But the judge stayed focused on the bond issue.
Zimmerman’s attorney has argued in court papers that his client is no threat to the public and proved he wasn’t a flight risk by returning to jail when his earlier bond was revoked.
O’Mara on Friday tried to show there was no effort to hide the money from the judge.
“It is not the grand conspiracy the state seems to suggest,” he said.
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