george zimmerman mug shot 11-18-13Orlando – George Zimmerman left the Seminole County jail this afternoon, the day after he was accused of pointing a gun at his girlfriend during a domestic dispute and arrested on domestic violence charges.
Zimmerman’s bail was set at $9,000 during today’s hearing. News crews later spotted him as he walked out of the jail about 4:30 p.m., and the Sheriff’s Office confirmed that he had been released. Zimmerman was calm and said little during today’s court appearance.




Seminole County Judge Fred Schott said he found probable cause for Monday’s arrest on charges of aggravated assault, domestic violence battery and criminal mischief and granted Zimmerman $9,000 bail. Assistant State Attorney Lymary Munoz had asked that it be $50,000. Assistant Public Defender Daniel Megaro asked that it be $4,900. Munoz said the victim is afraid of Zimmerman, that a week and a half ago he tried to choke her but that she did not report that. Munoz also said the victim told her that Zimmerman had talked about suicide.
The judge said he was setting the bond higher than normal because of the reported strangulation attempt.
samantha-scheibe-photos-1He also ordered Zimmerman to wear a satellite monitor, to give up and stay away from guns and ammunition and to stay away from his girlfriend, Samantha Scheibe.
She was not at the hearing. Neither were members of Zimmerman’s family.
The judge also ordered Zimmerman not to leave the state. He’s to appear for arraignment Jan. 7 before Circuit Judge Jessica Recksiedler.
Zimmerman was represented by Jeff Dowdy, the chief of the public defender’s office in Sanford, and Megaro.
After the hearing, Dowdy said Zimmerman has $2.5 million in debts, mostly money owed former defense attorneys Mark O’Mara and Don West.
According to Angel Bail Bonds, Zimmerman’s family had pledged to help him raise money for bail.
“Of course he’s sorry about what happened,” Dowdy said, but added that Zimmerman is “maintaining his innocence.”
“Is this a stressful event for him? Probably. … He’s very clear. He’s very coherent. He understands what’s going on,” Megaro said.
The defense attorney added: “We’re confident he’ll be acquitted of these charges.”
Dowdy said deputies have seized all of Zimmerman’s guns. It’s not clear how many he possessed. His girlfriend told a dispatcher as events were unfolding Monday that he had four: a shotgun, rifle and two others.


At the jail on Monday, Shellie Zimmerman, Zimmerman’s estranged wife, had divorce papers served on him. (continue reading)

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