His GPS monitor has been cut off and George Zimmerman is free -- but only legally.
Zimmerman fears for his life. He's a reviled figure to millions, despite his acquittal Saturday night in Trayvon Martin's killing. And he could still be held criminally liable for Martin's death.
'They want revenge'
Zimmerman's attorney describes him as a marked man.
"He has to be very
cautious and protective of his safety because there is still a fringe
element who have said ... that they will not listen to a verdict of not
guilty," said Mark O'Mara.
George Zimmerman found not guilty
Martin's parents react to verdict
Zimmerman's brother reacts to verdict
Zimmerman, 29, has kept
his address under wraps for more than a year and worn a disguise
whenever he left his four walls. He has often strapped on body armor,
according to O'Mara.
And he may feel the need to be armed.
When asked by CNN's Piers
Morgan whether Zimmerman will keep the gun used in the killing, his
brother, Robert Zimmerman Jr., said, "I don't see any reason why he
shouldn't.
"I think he has more
reason now than ever to think that people are trying to kill him because
they express they're trying to kill him, all the time, every day, on my
Twitter feed, on the Internet."
Robert Zimmerman gave more details Sunday on CNN's "New Day."
"The threats are vile,
they're vicious, they're disgusting. And sometimes they're in person.
People wearing shirts with my brother's face on it in crosshairs,
encouraging others to act out violently against him. I know that you
can't take every one one of those seriously, but you can't afford to be
wrong either. Because you can be dead wrong if somebody really were
intent on harming you."
"He's going to have to
learn to move about in a very low-profile way and keep to himself,"
Robert Zimmerman said, although having the GPS removed and no trial to
occupy his days helps end George Zimmerman's feeling of being "kind of
caged in."
Zimmerman, married with
no children, may leave Florida and choose to lead a life in the shadows
-- like Casey Anthony, the Florida woman acquitted of killing her
2-year-old daughter in 2008.
Zimmerman could face more criminal charges
Defense: Prosecution was 'disgraceful'
Prosecutor: 'I am disappointed'
George
Zimmerman is congratulated by members of his defense team, Don West and
Lorna Truett, after the not guilty verdict is read on Saturday, July
13, in Sanford, Florida. A jury of six women found him not guilty in the
shooting death of Trayvon Martin. View photos of the public reaction to
the verdict.
George Zimmerman's wife, Shellie Zimmerman, cries as friends and family members celebrate the verdict on July 13.
George Zimmerman's wife, Shellie Zimmerman, cries as friends and family members celebrate the verdict on July 13.
Robert Zimmerman Sr. and Gladys Zimmerman embrace after their son is found not guilty on July 13.
Robert Zimmerman Sr. and Gladys Zimmerman embrace after their son is found not guilty on July 13.
George Zimmerman prepares to leave the courtroom after the not guilty verdict is read on July 13.
George Zimmerman prepares to leave the courtroom after the not guilty verdict is read on July 13.
Zimmerman
confers with his defense team on July 13, after working out the wording
for a response to the jury, who had asked for clarification on the
instructions regarding manslaughter. The response, crafted and agreed to
by both the prosecution and defense, instructed the jury to ask their
question more specifically, as the court could not engage in general
discussion.
Zimmerman
confers with his defense team on July 13, after working out the wording
for a response to the jury, who had asked for clarification on the
instructions regarding manslaughter. The response, crafted and agreed to
by both the prosecution and defense, instructed the jury to ask their
question more specifically, as the court could not engage in general
discussion.
Zimmerman
and his defense team stand in the courtroom as the jury arrives before
starting their second day of deliberations on July 13.
Zimmerman
and his defense team stand in the courtroom as the jury arrives before
starting their second day of deliberations on July 13.
Prosecutor
John Guy addresses the jury with his closing rebuttal during
Zimmerman's murder trial on Friday, July 12. "He shot him because he
wanted to," Guy told jurors, saying that Zimmerman didn't have to shoot
17-year-old Martin.
Prosecutor
John Guy addresses the jury with his closing rebuttal during
Zimmerman's murder trial on Friday, July 12. "He shot him because he
wanted to," Guy told jurors, saying that Zimmerman didn't have to shoot
17-year-old Martin.
Zimmerman's
attorney Mark O'Mara holds up a chart during closing arguments for the
defense on Friday, July 12. "How many 'what ifs' have you heard from the
state in this case?" O'Mara asked the jury. "They don't get to ask you
that."
Zimmerman's
attorney Mark O'Mara holds up a chart during closing arguments for the
defense on Friday, July 12. "How many 'what ifs' have you heard from the
state in this case?" O'Mara asked the jury. "They don't get to ask you
that."
Zimmerman,
right, sits with another defense attorney, Don West, this week. West
objected to a third-degree murder charge also sought by prosecutors on
Thursday, July 11, the day closing arguments began. The judge ruled out
that charge but said the jury could consider convicting the defendant of
manslaughter.
Zimmerman,
right, sits with another defense attorney, Don West, this week. West
objected to a third-degree murder charge also sought by prosecutors on
Thursday, July 11, the day closing arguments began. The judge ruled out
that charge but said the jury could consider convicting the defendant of
manslaughter.
Dr.
Vincent Di Maio, a forensic pathologist and gunshot wound expert,
describes Zimmerman's injuries while testifying for the defense Tuesday,
July 9.
Dr.
Vincent Di Maio, a forensic pathologist and gunshot wound expert,
describes Zimmerman's injuries while testifying for the defense Tuesday,
July 9.
Defense
attorney Mark O'Mara, right, questions forensics animation expert
Daniel Schumaker, center, at the bench of Judge Debra Nelson with
Assistant State Attorney Richard Mantei, left, during a July 9 hearing
on the admissibility of animation created for the defense. Schumaker
showed the judge and Mantei some 3-D animation on his laptop after an
overhead projector didn't work.
Defense
attorney Mark O'Mara, right, questions forensics animation expert
Daniel Schumaker, center, at the bench of Judge Debra Nelson with
Assistant State Attorney Richard Mantei, left, during a July 9 hearing
on the admissibility of animation created for the defense. Schumaker
showed the judge and Mantei some 3-D animation on his laptop after an
overhead projector didn't work.
John
Donnelly, a friend of George Zimmerman's, cries on the witness stand on
Monday, July 8, in Sanford, Florida, after listening to screams on the
911 tape entered in evidence.
John
Donnelly, a friend of George Zimmerman's, cries on the witness stand on
Monday, July 8, in Sanford, Florida, after listening to screams on the
911 tape entered in evidence.
Sondra Osterman, a friend of Zimmerman's, listens to the 911 tape while testifying on July 8.
Sondra Osterman, a friend of Zimmerman's, listens to the 911 tape while testifying on July 8.
Mark Osterman, a friend of Zimmerman's, testifies on July 8 and describes the type of gun Zimmerman owned.
Mark Osterman, a friend of Zimmerman's, testifies on July 8 and describes the type of gun Zimmerman owned.
Leanne Benjamin, a friend of Zimmerman's, smiles while identifying him in court on July 8.
Leanne Benjamin, a friend of Zimmerman's, smiles while identifying him in court on July 8.
Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, takes the stand during Zimmerman's trial on Friday, July 5.
Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, takes the stand during Zimmerman's trial on Friday, July 5.
George
Zimmerman's mother, Gladys Zimmerman, listens to the 911 tape while
taking the stand during his trial in Seminole County circuit court on
July 5.
George
Zimmerman's mother, Gladys Zimmerman, listens to the 911 tape while
taking the stand during his trial in Seminole County circuit court on
July 5.
Martin's brother Jahvaris Fulton testifies at the Zimmerman trial in Seminole County circuit court on July 5.
Martin's brother Jahvaris Fulton testifies at the Zimmerman trial in Seminole County circuit court on July 5.
Volusia
and Seminole County associate medical examiner Shiping Bao testifies on
July 5. Bao conducted the final autopsy on Martin and determined the
cause of death to be a gunshot wound to the chest.
Volusia
and Seminole County associate medical examiner Shiping Bao testifies on
July 5. Bao conducted the final autopsy on Martin and determined the
cause of death to be a gunshot wound to the chest.
Florida
Department of Law Enforcement Crime Lab Analyst Anthony Gorgone
testifies about DNA findings on Wednesday, July 3, in Sanford, Florida.
Here, Gorgone points to a sweatshirt worn by Trayvon Martin on the night
Martin was shot. Only one stain on Martin's hooded jacket yielded a
partial DNA profile that matched Zimmerman's.
Florida
Department of Law Enforcement Crime Lab Analyst Anthony Gorgone
testifies about DNA findings on Wednesday, July 3, in Sanford, Florida.
Here, Gorgone points to a sweatshirt worn by Trayvon Martin on the night
Martin was shot. Only one stain on Martin's hooded jacket yielded a
partial DNA profile that matched Zimmerman's.
Gorgone
points to a jacket worn by Zimmerman on the night of the shooting.
Multiple stains on Zimmerman's jacket tested positive for Zimmerman's
DNA. At least two stains from the jacket tested positive for a mixture
of DNA that included Martin's DNA.
Gorgone
points to a jacket worn by Zimmerman on the night of the shooting.
Multiple stains on Zimmerman's jacket tested positive for Zimmerman's
DNA. At least two stains from the jacket tested positive for a mixture
of DNA that included Martin's DNA.
Firearms
analyst Amy Siewert from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
answers questions from the prosecution while holding Zimmerman's gun on
July 3. Siewert examined the gun and said Zimmerman had one bullet ready
to fire in the chamber as well as a fully loaded magazine when the
shooting occurred.
Firearms
analyst Amy Siewert from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
answers questions from the prosecution while holding Zimmerman's gun on
July 3. Siewert examined the gun and said Zimmerman had one bullet ready
to fire in the chamber as well as a fully loaded magazine when the
shooting occurred.
Alexis
Carter, a military prosecutor, testifies during the trial on July 3.
Carter taught a criminal litigation class that Zimmerman completed, and
testified that the class included extensive coverage of Florida's
self-defense laws.
Alexis
Carter, a military prosecutor, testifies during the trial on July 3.
Carter taught a criminal litigation class that Zimmerman completed, and
testified that the class included extensive coverage of Florida's
self-defense laws.
Mark
Osterman, a U.S. Air Marshal and friend of Zimmerman's who wrote a book
about the case, testifies on Tuesday, July 2. He recounted the story of
the shooting that Zimmerman told him and testified that when he took
Zimmerman home from the police station after the shooting, Zimmerman
wasn't acting like himself.
Mark
Osterman, a U.S. Air Marshal and friend of Zimmerman's who wrote a book
about the case, testifies on Tuesday, July 2. He recounted the story of
the shooting that Zimmerman told him and testified that when he took
Zimmerman home from the police station after the shooting, Zimmerman
wasn't acting like himself.
Prosecutor
Bernie de la Rionda, on July 2, demonstrates a possible scenario while
questioning state witness Chris Serino, a Sanford police officer.
Prosecutor
Bernie de la Rionda, on July 2, demonstrates a possible scenario while
questioning state witness Chris Serino, a Sanford police officer.
Hirotaka Nakasone, a voice recognition expert with the FBI, testifies in the Zimmerman trial on Monday, July 1.
Hirotaka Nakasone, a voice recognition expert with the FBI, testifies in the Zimmerman trial on Monday, July 1.
Witness Jonathan Good is cross-examined by defense attorney Mark O'Mara on Friday, June 28.
Witness Jonathan Good is cross-examined by defense attorney Mark O'Mara on Friday, June 28.
Selma
Mora reenacts a scenario for defense attorney Mark O'Mara on Thursday,
June 27. Mora lived in Zimmerman's neighborhood at the time of the
shooting.
Selma
Mora reenacts a scenario for defense attorney Mark O'Mara on Thursday,
June 27. Mora lived in Zimmerman's neighborhood at the time of the
shooting.
Witness
Jennifer Lauer points to where her former home was in the Retreat at
Twin Lakes community during questioning by defense attorney Mark O'Mara
on June 27. Lauer called 911 on the night of the shooting.
Witness
Jennifer Lauer points to where her former home was in the Retreat at
Twin Lakes community during questioning by defense attorney Mark O'Mara
on June 27. Lauer called 911 on the night of the shooting.
Rachel
Jeantel, a friend of Martin's, is questioned by defense attorney Don
West on June 27. She appeared to get frustrated several times during the
cross-examination, including one time when West suggested they could
break until the morning so she'd have more time to review the deposition
transcript.
Rachel
Jeantel, a friend of Martin's, is questioned by defense attorney Don
West on June 27. She appeared to get frustrated several times during the
cross-examination, including one time when West suggested they could
break until the morning so she'd have more time to review the deposition
transcript.
The
evidence letter that Jeantel says she wrote with a friend for Sybrina
Fulton, Martin's mother, is displayed during the trial on June 27. When
the defense asked Jeantel to read the letter, she said she couldn't read
cursive. She asked a friend to write the letter for her, she said.
The
evidence letter that Jeantel says she wrote with a friend for Sybrina
Fulton, Martin's mother, is displayed during the trial on June 27. When
the defense asked Jeantel to read the letter, she said she couldn't read
cursive. She asked a friend to write the letter for her, she said.
Jeantel testifies on Wednesday, June 26. She was the last person to speak with Martin on the phone.
Jeantel testifies on Wednesday, June 26. She was the last person to speak with Martin on the phone.
Zimmerman
walks past Martin's parents, Sybrina Fulton, left, and Tracy Martin,
second from left, as he enters the courtroom after lunch recess on June
26.
Zimmerman
walks past Martin's parents, Sybrina Fulton, left, and Tracy Martin,
second from left, as he enters the courtroom after lunch recess on June
26.
Diana
Smith of the Sanford Police Department on Tuesday, June 25, shows the
jury a bag of Skittles that was collected as evidence at the crime
scene. Martin was said to be carrying the bag of candy and a soft drink
at the time of his death.
Diana
Smith of the Sanford Police Department on Tuesday, June 25, shows the
jury a bag of Skittles that was collected as evidence at the crime
scene. Martin was said to be carrying the bag of candy and a soft drink
at the time of his death.
Assistant
state attorneys John Guy, left, and Richard Mantei hold up Martin's
sweatshirt as evidence during Zimmerman's trial on June 25. After
Martin's death, protesters started wearing hoodies in solidarity against
racial profiling.
Assistant
state attorneys John Guy, left, and Richard Mantei hold up Martin's
sweatshirt as evidence during Zimmerman's trial on June 25. After
Martin's death, protesters started wearing hoodies in solidarity against
racial profiling.
During the trial on June 25, crime scene technician Diana Smith shows the jury a gun that was collected as evidence.
During the trial on June 25, crime scene technician Diana Smith shows the jury a gun that was collected as evidence.
Zimmerman laughs with defense attorney Don West during his trial on June 25.
Zimmerman laughs with defense attorney Don West during his trial on June 25.
Selene
Bahadoor enters the courtroom to take the witness stand on June 25. She
was the first eyewitness to testify and said the shooting occured right
behind her home.
Selene
Bahadoor enters the courtroom to take the witness stand on June 25. She
was the first eyewitness to testify and said the shooting occured right
behind her home.
Seminole
County 911 dispatcher Sean Noffke testifies on Monday, June 24, about
his conversation with Zimmerman on a non-emergency line the night of the
shooting.
Seminole
County 911 dispatcher Sean Noffke testifies on Monday, June 24, about
his conversation with Zimmerman on a non-emergency line the night of the
shooting.
A transcript of Zimmerman's police call on the night of the shooting is projected during opening arguments on June 24.
A transcript of Zimmerman's police call on the night of the shooting is projected during opening arguments on June 24.
Martin's father, Tracy Martin, cries on June 24 as he listens to the description of his son's death.
Martin's father, Tracy Martin, cries on June 24 as he listens to the description of his son's death.
Prosecutor
John Guy gestures during his opening arguments on June 24. His first
words to the six-woman jury may have raised a few eyebrows. "Good
morning. 'F*****g punks, these a******s all get away,'" Guy quoted
Zimmerman. "These were the words in this grown man's mouth as he
followed this boy that he didn't know. Those were his words, not mine."
Prosecutor
John Guy gestures during his opening arguments on June 24. His first
words to the six-woman jury may have raised a few eyebrows. "Good
morning. 'F*****g punks, these a******s all get away,'" Guy quoted
Zimmerman. "These were the words in this grown man's mouth as he
followed this boy that he didn't know. Those were his words, not mine."
From
left, Zimmerman's father, Robert Zimmerman Sr.; his mother, Gladys; and
his wife, Shellie, are escorted from the courtroom on June 24. Since
they are all on the witness list, the judge ruled they cannot be present
in the courtroom until after they testify.
From
left, Zimmerman's father, Robert Zimmerman Sr.; his mother, Gladys; and
his wife, Shellie, are escorted from the courtroom on June 24. Since
they are all on the witness list, the judge ruled they cannot be present
in the courtroom until after they testify.
Defense
attorney Don West displays a photo of Zimmerman from the night of the
shooting during his opening arguments on June 24. He opened his
statements with a knock-knock joke but failed to win a laugh. "Knock
knock. Who's there? George Zimmerman. George Zimmerman who? Good, you're
on the jury," he said.
Defense
attorney Don West displays a photo of Zimmerman from the night of the
shooting during his opening arguments on June 24. He opened his
statements with a knock-knock joke but failed to win a laugh. "Knock
knock. Who's there? George Zimmerman. George Zimmerman who? Good, you're
on the jury," he said.
A video entered as evidence is displayed on June 24. It shows Martin, right, at a 7-Eleven on the night of his shooting.
A video entered as evidence is displayed on June 24. It shows Martin, right, at a 7-Eleven on the night of his shooting.
From
left, Martin's parents, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, and Benjamin
Crump, the family's legal counsel, make a brief statement to the media
before jurors heard opening statements on June 24.
From
left, Martin's parents, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, and Benjamin
Crump, the family's legal counsel, make a brief statement to the media
before jurors heard opening statements on June 24.
Zimmerman waits for the start of his trial on June 24.
Zimmerman waits for the start of his trial on June 24.
Key moments in the Zimmerman trial
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Photos: Zimmerman trial
Defense: Zimmerman did nothing wrong
With the state criminal case over, George Zimmerman could now face new criminal charges.
The federal government could file a civil rights suit, accusing him of violating 17-year-old Martin's civil rights.
The NAACP has called on the Justice Department to file civil rights charges, and is asking the public to sign a petition.
"The most fundamental of
civil rights -- the right to life -- was violated the night George
Zimmerman stalked and then took the life of Trayvon Martin," the group
said.
Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, acknowledged killing the unarmed teen, saying it was in self-defense.
The Justice Department did not respond directly to the NAACP demand. It has a separate federal investigation going on.
An official told CNN the
department "continues to evaluate the evidence generated during the
federal investigation, as well as the evidence and testimony from the
state trial."
Meanwhile, the Martin
family could file a civil lawsuit against Zimmerman, seeking damages.
The suit would claim wrongful death -- which is easier to prove than
murder or manslaughter.
And the Rev. Al Sharpton said the acquittal was "only the first round in the pursuit of justice."
NAACP President Ben Jealous expects legal action will proceed on both fronts.
"There will be a civil
phase almost assuredly, and then there will be a federal civil rights
phase," he told CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday. "And we are
putting our faith in that system."
Robert Zimmerman
rejected Jealous' call for charges against his brother. Authorities have
interviewed "about three dozen of his closest friends and
acquaintances. And there is not any inkling of racism,"he said. "In
fact, there's evidence to show the opposite. I would encourage them to
cool their jets, give everyone some time to kind of process what's going
on.
Martin lawyer: 'We must all be peaceful'
Get caught up: Zimmerman trial in 3 mins
'Zimmerman should have been found guilty'
"Agitation doesn't help us. It doesn't do anybody any good right now."
'Emotional and psychological hurdles'
Those who defend
Zimmerman say he will struggle for the rest of his life over what
happened, despite his contention that it was in self-defense.
"In his religious
beliefs, death by any definition is a tragedy," Robert Zimmerman told
CNN's Piers Morgan. "So he has moral things that he's going to have to
deal with, and emotional and psychological hurdles he's going to have to
overcome."
Those who believe he
should be in jail for murder are quick to point out that Martin lost his
life, and say there should be no tears shed for any struggles Zimmerman
may face.
A young man's post on Facebook about Zimmerman's future quickly went viral Sunday.
"For the rest of your life you are now going to feel what its like to be a black man in America," Alex Fraser wrote.
"You will feel people
stare at you. Judging you for what you think are unfair reasons. You
will lose out on getting jobs for something you feel is outside of your
control. You will believe yourself to be an upstanding citizen and
wonder why people choose to not see that. ...
"I bet you never thought that by shooting a black male you'd end up inheriting all of his struggles."
Fraser added, "Enjoy your 'freedom.'"
Support for Zimmerman
Zimmerman's supporters
have sent letters and e-mails to his lawyers, offering moral support and
saying they sympathized with a man so concerned about neighborhood
break-ins that he bought a gun and dog, and donned the mantle of
neighborhood watchman.
The letters often blame the media for his woes and offer encouragement for the road ahead.
After the verdict, O'Mara too assailed news outlets for their coverage.
"He was like a patient
in an operating table where mad scientists were committing experiments
on him and he had no anesthesia," he said.
Many supporters sent in money to a website he established to help with his mounting legal bills.
But one crisis public relations manager said Zimmerman must tread lightly when accepting further public money.
"He's got to be careful
about who he associates with afterward, even if they are offering
financial support," said Gene Grabowski.
Despite what may lie
ahead, on Saturday night, as his legal team surrounded him and
congratulated each other with handshakes and hugs, George Zimmerman
seemed to take a moment to soak in the relief -- aware that a long road
lies ahead.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/14/justice/zimmerman-what-next/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
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