George Zimmerman Walks Out a Free Man Again, and Will Have Bodyguards Like a Celebrity

Impact

George Zimmerman, the Sanford, Florida, man, who – as a neighborhood watchman and arguing self-defense – killed teenager Trayvon Martin back in February, walked out of prison a free man (again) as last Thursday Seminole County Circuit Court Judge Kenneth R. Lester, Jr. ordered to raise Zimmerman’s bond to $1 million. 

Zimmerman’s mood was decribed by Don West – one of his attorneys – as “buoyant” as the 28-year-old stepped out of prison and into an SUV wearing a white shirt and gray suit, after being fitted with an electronic monitoring device and warned to stay in Seminole County – according to the sheriff's Department.

Zimmerman, however, won’t be able to open a bank account, obtain a passport or set foot on the grounds of the local airport. He also has a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew. Nonetheless, "He's very happy to be out," West added, as "Certainly it's been a sobering experience being in that kind of environment."

Zimmerman had to pay a bond company $100,000 but also needed $1 million in collateral to secure the bail, according to his legal team. West refused to say what was being used as collateral after Zimmerman left the jail. But according to the AP, Zimmerman's parents put up their house as collateral.

It remains to be determined, though, who will pay for Zimmerman's newly hired security team as he is placed in a "safe house" and moves around like a celebrity.