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.

http://tinyurl.com/lkbts6h
--