Zimmerman's Attorney Apologizes For Apology
MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) – The attorney for George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch captain who shot and killed 17-year old Trayvon Martin, has apologized for the apology Zimmerman made to Martin's parents during his bond hearing last Friday.
Mark O'Mara said on "CBS This Morning" he did not understand the victim's family would find the timing of his remarks inappropriate.
During the hearing Zimmerman took the stand told Martin's parents, "I wanted to say I am sorry for the loss of your son. I did not know how old he was. I thought he was a little bit younger than I am, and I did not know if he was armed or not."
Martin family lawyer Benjamin Crump told the press following the hearing that Zimmerman's apology was poorly timed and insincere.
Martin, who is charged with second degree murder, was released from jail around midnight on Sunday after posting bail and being outfitted with an electronic monitoring device.
As per the judge's orders, Zimmerman will have to observe a 7 p.m.-to-6 a.m. curfew, must not possess any guns and have no contact with Martin's family.
Zimmerman, 28, fatally shot Martin during an altercation on Feb. 26 inside a Sanford gated community where Zimmerman lived. Martin was unarmed and was walking back to the home of his father's fiancée when Zimmerman saw him, called 911 and began following him. A fight broke out but investigators said they don't know who started it.
Zimmerman said Martin, who was visiting from Miami, attacked him. Zimmerman claimed he shot Martin in self-defense and cited the state's "stand your ground" law, which gives broad legal protection to anyone who says they used deadly force because they feared death or great bodily harm.
Zimmerman was not charged for over six weeks, sparking national protests led by Martin's parents and civil rights groups.
Defense attorneys for other high-profile clients who awaited trial on bail have said Zimmerman should leave Florida and refrain from going out in public. Sanford residents say they aren't expecting to see him around the neighborhood anytime soon.
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