SANFORD, Fla. — George Zimmerman, the neighborhood-watch volunteer who shot and killed unarmed teen Trayvon Martin, has been sprung from jail.
Zimmerman, wearing a beige jacket and jeans and carrying a large brown bag, walked out of the John E. Polk Correctional Facility at midnight on $150,000 bond.
George Zimmerman, right, gets into a vehicle moments after walking out of jail Sunday. (AP)
Trayvon Martin was shot and killed by neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman in February. (AP)
He ignored shouted questions from the half- dozen reporters waiting outside, where he was met by five cars — a white BMW SUV and four green and white Town Cars belonging to the Sheriff’s Department.
He hopped into the SUV — and all of the cars immediately sped off.
His destination was unknown and there was speculation it might be outside Florida.
Zimmerman, 28, of white and Hispanic descent, shot the black 17-year-old Martin, who was returning to his dad’s fiancé’s home in a gated community on Feb 26.
At a gas station down the road from the prison, Michael White, 23, a clerk, said, “People come into my store every day threatening to kill him. Protesters are all over my town. I understand why they want to protect him, but it’s not fair he got such low bail.’’
Shelly Douglas, 19, said, “It’s really sad this kid had to die . . . but you have to hear everything in court.
“Then we’ll finally hear what happened,’’ she said.
Zimmerman insisted he fired his gun after the teen attacked him.
A judge said at a court appearance Friday that Zimmerman must surrender his passport, cannot have any guns while out on bail and must adhere to a 7 p.m.-to-6 a.m. curfew.
Zimmerman had to put up 10 percent, or $15,000, to make bail. His father has indicated he would take out a second mortgage to pay the fee.
Zimmerman apologized to Trayvon’s parents, who were at the Friday court date.
“I did not know how old he was. I did not know if he was armed or not,” Zimmerman said.
Zimmerman’s release from jail brought out a range of emotions from Twitter users early this morning — mainly anger over the shooting and dissatisfaction in the justice system.
“George Zimmerman is being released from jail? What is this nonsense?” wrote one Twitter user.