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    April 20, 2012

Accused Florida Gunman to Appear in Court for Bail Hearing

   VOA News
   Attorney Mark O'Mara (L) looks on George Zimmerman (R) makes his first
   appearance on second degree murder charges in the shooting death of
   Trayvon Martin in courtroom J2 at the Seminole County Correctional
   Facility in Sanford, April 12, 2012. Photo: Reuters
   Attorney Mark O'Mara (L) looks on George Zimmerman (R) makes his first
   appearance on second degree murder charges in the shooting death of
   Trayvon Martin in courtroom J2 at the Seminole County Correctional
   Facility in Sanford, April 12, 2012.

   The Florida man charged in the shooting death of a 17-year-old African
   American teenager will appear before a judge Friday to seek his release
   on bail while he awaits trial.
   The judge will determine whether George Zimmerman, 28, could
   potentially flee the state if he is released, if he poses a threat to
   the community, and whether he can afford to post bail. Zimmerman's
   family will testify by phone during the hearing.
   Zimmerman has been charged with second-degree murder in the February 26
   fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin. Prosecutors says Zimmerman, a
   neighborhood watch volunteer, racially profiled the teen as a potential
   criminal and confronted him. Martin was unarmed and walking back home
   from a convenience store.
   Zimmerman, a white Hispanic man, has admitted to killing Martin, but
   says he acted in self-defense when the teen attacked him.
   The case sparked nationwide protests over racial profiling and
   Florida's so-called "Stand Your Ground" law that allows people to use
   deadly force if they feel their life is in danger, or they are at risk
   of serious injury. Police did not initially arrest Zimmerman after the
   shooting because of his claims of self-defense.
   Florida Governor Rick Scott Thursday introduced a 17-member commission
   to examine the controversial law. The panel, led by Lieutenant Governor
   Jennifer Carroll, will conduct a series of public hearings across the
   state, and pass along its recommendations to Scott and the Florida
   legislature.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

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