Judge Sets New Bail in Trayvon Martin Case

Posted July 6th, 2012 at 4:50 am (UTC-5)
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A judge in Florida has set a $1 million bond for a neighborhood watch volunteer charged in the shooting death of an unarmed black teenager earlier this year.

The judge revoked George Zimmerman's initial $150,000 bond and ordered him back to jail last month, after prosecutors alleged he and his wife misled the court about their finances. The couple testified in April that they had little money, but prosecutors said Zimmerman had raised $135,000 through a website for his legal defense fund.

In his ruling Thursday, the judge said it was apparent Zimmerman was plotting the flee the United States to avoid prosecution. He imposed several conditions on Zimmerman if he posts the $1 million bond — he must wear an electronic monitoring device at all times, and can not hold a passport or own a bank account.

Zimmerman's wife has been charged with perjury .

Zimmerman has been charged with second-degree murder in the February shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in a gated community. Police initially refused to arrest Zimmerman, who claimed he shot the boy in self-defense under Florida's “stand your ground” law, which allows people to use a gun in self-defense if they feel at risk of serious injury or death.

The case sparked angry protests across the nation, with demonstrators accusing Zimmerman of racially profiling Trayvon, along with anger over the “stand your ground” law.