Updates to our Terms of Use

We are updating our Terms of Use. Please carefully review the updated Terms before proceeding to our website.

Thursday, April 18, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

George Zimmerman Can’t Stay out of the News

LAKE MARY, Fla. (CN) - Police detained George Zimmerman Monday after his estranged wife called 911 and said he threatened her with a gun, but the acquitted killer was released when his wife declined to prosecute, the Lake Mary, Fla. police chief said.

"It is not yet determined who was the aggressor," Lake Mary Police Lt. Mike Biles said in an interview. "We responded to some sort of domestic violence call. We're still investigating."

Lake Mary is 5 miles west of Sanford, where George Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin to death. A jury acquitted Zimmerman in July, finding he acted in self-defense under Florida's "stand your ground" law.

Shellie Zimmerman filed for divorce on Friday.

According to police and media reports, she called 911 around 2:30 p.m. Monday, claiming her husband had come to her father's home and threatened her and her family.

"He's in his car and he continually has his hand on his gun, and he's saying, 'Step closer.' He's just threatening all of us with his firearm," Shellie Zimmerman said in the 911 call, which was released by police. "I don't know what he's capable of. I'm really scared."

Shellie Zimmerman claimed George punched her father in the nose, tried to close the garage door on her and smashed her iPad.

The altercation apparently started when George saw his wife moving out of their home and got into an argument with her father.

Police later told reporters there was no gun involved, but George Zimmerman's attorney told CNN that his client did have a gun on him.

"He acted appropriately. He never took the weapon out," attorney Mark O'Mara told CNN.

O'Mara said George Zimmerman had not threatened anyone.

"There was heightened emotion and a disagreement took place," O'Mara said.

Lake Mary police said they are reviewing surveillance video from the home to determine what happened. No arrests had been made as of by this morning (Tuesday) and George Zimmerman was not in custody.

Shellie Zimmerman pleaded not guilty two weeks ago to misdemeanor perjury charges, for lying about whether the couple had enough money for bond after her husband was arrested.

She filed for divorce Friday, after telling her husband was selfish.

Categories / Uncategorized

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Loading...