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George Zimmerman Arrested on Aggravated Assault Charge

News: George Zimmerman has been arrested on an aggravated assault charge.

Published Jan. 10, 2015

George Zimmerman, whose acquittal of charges related to his shooting and killing black teen Trayvon Martin in Florida sparked a national debate on race and self-defense laws, was arrested on the evening of 9 January 2015 for allegedly having thrown a wine bottle at his girlfriend several days earlier and booked into the John E. Polk Correctional Facility. During a hearing the following morning his bond was set at $5,000, and he was ordered to avoid future contact with his girlfriend.



Lake Mary Police spokeswoman Officer Bianca Gillett said the fight happened at Zimmerman's Valley Wood Way residence in Lake Mary, but nobody involved called the cops.

Even though this incident didn't involve a firearm, Galluzzo told Zimmerman that he had until [13 January] to surrender any firearms in his possession.

The judge also ordered Zimmerman to stay out of Volusia County and to have no contact with the victim, and also ordered Zimmerman to pack up any personal belongings his girlfriend may have left at Zimmerman's home and give them to his lawyer.

"If charges are filed, Mr. Zimmerman stands ready to defend against them," [his attorney Don] West said. "There will be an arraignment, at which point I'll appear, enter a plea of not guilty, and we'll proceed as we always do."

At a Central Florida gun show on Sept. 20, Zimmerman [said] that he was homeless, jobless and deeply in debt, due to legal bills.

Judge John Galluzzo gave few details of the incident, but said a wine bottle was involved and that the alleged assault happened at Zimmerman's home. Prosecutors questioned whether substance abuse treatment was needed, but the judge said that didn't seem to be a factor.

Zimmerman, who wore blue scrubs and handcuffs, appeared calm during the brief hearing. At one point, he laughed and joked with an officer as he signed paperwork.


Last updated:   10 January 2015

David Mikkelson founded the site now known as snopes.com back in 1994.

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