Zimmerman freed on $150,000 bail, Rev. Jackson says it ‘cheapens Black life’
7th May 2012 · 0 Comments
By Hazel Trice Edney
Contributing Writer
(TriceEdneyWire.com)— George Zimmerman—the killer of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin—has been released from the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Seminole County, Fla., After posting a $150,000 bond, Zimmerman was fitted with a GPS monitor and was released around midnight on April 23 to an undisclosed location.
His release comes after Judge Kenneth Lester ruled recently that Zimmerman can relocate out of state until time for his trial on second degree murder charges for the February shooting.
Under the conditions of his release, Zimmerman must check in with authorities every three days and he is on a strict curfew that prohibits him from leaving home between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. His location is a heavily guarded secret for his protection. He is also not allowed to have access to firearms or alcohol and he cannot communicate with Martin’s family or any of the witnesses in the case.
The killing of the unarmed teenager forged protests and a national discussion on race relations in America. Police 911 tapes reveal that Martin was profiled; yet Zimmerman was only arrested after national outrage.
During the bond hearing, which took place in Sanford, Fla., on Friday, Zimmerman apologized to Martin’s family saying he was “sorry for the loss of your son.”
Zimmerman’s apology for Martin’s death was not well received by attorneys representing Martin’s family. They said his statement during the bond hearing was “self-serving”. Martin’s family did not immediately respond to the apology.
At the heart of the legal case is a so-called “Stand your ground” law in Florida. The law allows people to kill another human being if they simply feel that their life is being threatened.
Civil rights leaders continue to monitor the case and have vowed to watch until they see justice done. They are also concerned about similar laws in other states.
“National Action Network’s concern is that there is a fair trial,” said the Rev. Al Sharpton in a statement. “And it is imperative that a review of the Stand Your Ground Law be conducted because after today’s hearing it is clearly the strategy of the defense. As long as this law stands on the books in Florida and other states we consider this a danger and we are committed to fighting that law.”
Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Jr. called for the FBI and Department of Justice to play a “critical role” in the civil case – even after the criminal case is finished. “Racial profiling and killings have become a national pattern,” he said.
Also in a statement, Jackson expressed deep disappointment at the judge’s decision to set the bond at only $150,000 when prosecutors had pressed for a million dollar or no bond.
He said, “This decision cheapens Black life.”
This article was originally published in the May 7, 2012 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper
