thedailywhat:

Breaking News of the Day: Zimmerman Takes the Stand at Bond Hearing: The family of George Zimmerman, charged with second-degree murder in the February 26 shooting death of Trayvon Martin, asked a Florida judge this morning to grant bail while he awaits trial. Family members — testifying by phone because they say they have been threatened — argued that Zimmerman is neither a flight risk nor a threat to the community.

“He is absolutely not a violent person,” said his wife, Shellie Zimmerman.

Defense attorney Mark O’Mara would prefer that Zimmerman be allowed to leave the area, if he is granted bond, because of concerns about his safety. “Normally, the conditions are that you stay local. I think that is going to be difficult,” he said. “I think nobody would deny the fact that if George Zimmerman were walking down the street today, he would be at risk. That is a reality.”

George Zimmerman took the stand to make a statement.

“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.”

[lat]

That Zimmerman statement hits a raw nerve. Let’s hope that as this trial commences, a much broader picture comes out. In related news, ABC News acquired a witness photo, allegedly of ZImmerman minutes after the shooting, that shows blood on the back of his head. However, the prosecutor in the case says they were aware of the photo but it did not affect the decision to charge Zimmerman with second-degree murder.