George Zimmerman has been trying to apologize to Trayvon Martin's parents for killing their son, but they weren't having any part of it:
On Thursday night, Zimmerman reached out to ask to speak to Martin’s parents, but they rejected that request, the family's attorney, Benjamin Crump, told NBC Miami.The family did not want to talk with Zimmerman because they felt he had never publicly apologized for what happened to their son and they thought it was inappropriate to do so at the 11th hour before his bond hearing, according to Crump.
They also had made it clear that they didn't want any bail set. But as they sat in that hearing this morning, they were not only informed that Zimmerman could be released on $150,000 bond -- but also that they'd hear his apology, whether they wanted to or not.
From the NBC News report on the video above:
Zimmerman had not been expected to address the hearing. His comments were the most robust to date about the incident, which set off a wave of protests and an examination of race relations in the country.“I wanted to say I am sorry for the loss of your son,” said Zimmerman, who was wearing a suit and in chains. He said that at the time of the shooting he did not know how old Martin was or whether he was armed.
More about the specifics of the bond, which is expected to be paid:
Judge Kenneth R. Lester, Jr. said Zimmerman would not be released immediately and that he would be monitored electronically via GPS. The terms of the bond include a curfew and no alcohol or guns. Also, Zimmerman must be in touch with authorities every three days. The judge wouldn’t rule on whether Zimmerman would be allowed to leave the state.Zimmerman’s attorney had asked for a $15,000 bond, citing his client’s family’s modest financial holdings. The prosecution said Zimmerman should not be granted a bond, but if he is, it should be for $1 million.
Kendall Coffey, an attorney appearing on msnbc immediately after the hearing concluded, said he "wasn't surprised at all" by the $150,000 bail, and it is the kind of bond expected in a second-degree murder case like this. He also added that he was fascinated by the fact that the "prosecution did not show all of their cards" in this hearing. We'll be sure to update you with more once we learn it, on the blog, and in tomorrow's show.