At a bond hearing on Tuesday, prosecutors in Seminole County alleged that former neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman had choked his girlfriend just days before she called 911 to say he was threatening her with a shotgun.
November 19, 2013

At a bond hearing on Tuesday, prosecutors in Seminole County alleged that former neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman had choked his girlfriend just days before she called 911 to say he was threatening her with a shotgun.

Zimmerman had been arrested on felony domestic violence and misdemeanor battery charges on Monday after Samantha Scheibe told authorities that he pointed a shotgun at her and pushed her out of the house.

The judge ordered on Tuesday that Zimmerman could be released on $9,000 bond. He was also barred from possessing guns or from coming within 1,500 feet of Scheibe. Zimmerman will have to wear a GPS tracking device until his next court date on Jan. 7.

At the hearing, the prosecution told the judge that the victim was "in fear for her safety."

"The victim had indicated that there was a prior domestic violence incident that had occurred approximately a week and half ago that involved a choking that she did not report to the police," the prosecutor said. "He has also has mentioned suicide in the recent past."

At least two other women, a former wife and a former girlfriend, have also accused Zimmerman of domestic violence in the past. He was acquitted of murder earlier this year after he admitted to killing 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

Update (3:45 p.m. ET): Zimmerman's wife, Shellie, reportedly served him divorce papers while he was in jail waiting for Tuesday's bond hearing. She had been unable to find him to serve the papers prior to the arrest.

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