Judge delays ruling on Zimmerman bail

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SANFORD, Fla., June 29 (UPI) -- After a 3-hour hearing Friday, a Florida judge postponed a decision on renewing bail for George Zimmerman, accused of killing an unarmed black teenager.

Zimmerman's attorneys argued for release on $150,000 bail, the Orlando Sentinel reported. That was the figure set before Judge Kenneth Lester revoked it after prosecutors argued Zimmerman and his wife had lied about money raised through an online appeal.

During the hearing, the defense acknowledged Zimmerman's wife lied about the money but argued Zimmerman, 28, is a good candidate for release. They also presented testimony to show Zimmerman, who is charged with second-degree murder, acted in self-defense when he shot Trayvon Martin.

Martin, 17, was on his way to a relative's house in a gated community in Sanford when Zimmerman began following him. Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, ignored a 911 dispatcher's urging to stop his pursuit.

Robert Zimmerman testified during the hearing that a voice calling for help on a 911 tape was his son's. A Sanford firefighter said Zimmerman had "blood on his face and the back of his head" and his nose showed signs of severe injuries.

Bernie De la Rionda, the prosecutor, said Martin could have perceived Zimmerman as a threat. He said Zimmerman had "profiled" the teenager.

"What you have here is basically a defendant who perceives himself as the police out there," De la Rionda said.