George Zimmerman was ushered into court in shackles for his bond hearing, and made a public apology to Trayvon Martin's parents. INSIDE EDITION has the latest.
There was high drama as accused murderer George Zimmerman appeared in chains and apologized directly to Trayvon Martin's parents.
"I am sorry for the loss of your son," said Zimmerman.
The bombshell moment came the same day a new photo of Zimmerman's injuries was unearthed, showing blood streaming down the back of his head.
The courtroom spectacle started when Zimmerman shuffled in, a chain around his waist, his hands and ankles shackled. He could barely shake hands with his attorneys at the hearing, which was to determine if he should be released on bail. He seemed to have lost weight since his arrest.
Zimmerman's wife testified to his good character by speakerphone because she was too afraid for her safety to appear in court.
"Anything that happens to my husband is personal threat to me. I have received hate mail," said Zimmerman's wife.
Zimmerman's mother and father also spoke via phone for the same reason.
Zimmerman's father revealed that he had just seen the photo which was apprently taken three minutes after the confrontation between Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin. It was obtained by ABC News.
ABC News legal analyst Dan Abrams told INSIDE EDITION, "The defense will say that this is a big deal. This shows that there was a fight and that George Zimmerman may have been on the bottom. But it doesn't change the legal issue which is, if George Zimmerman was the aggresor and they got in a fight, and Zimmerman started losing, that does not justify using lethal force."
Zimmerman sat stone-faced during the hearing. But then came a jaw-dropping moment from his lawyer, Mark O'Meara.
"My client wants to make a statement to the court Your Honor," said O'Meara.
Zimmerman shuffled forward and took the oath, his hand barely above his waist due to the chains. He then took the stand to make the apology to Trayvon's father and mother, who were sitting in the courtroom.
"I wanted to say I am sorry for the loss of your son. I did not know how old he was. I thought he was a little bit younger than I am. And I did not know if he was armed or not," said Zimmerman.
The prosecutor was skeptical about Zimmerman's apology.
"Why did you wait so long to tell them?" asked the attorney.
"I was told not to communicate with them," replied Zimmerman.
Abrams told INSIDE EDITION, "If you are inclined to believe Zimmerman, you feel sorry. If you're inclined not to believe Zimmerman, you come out of this disliking him even more."
The prosecutor asked for bail of $1 million dollars. Even he agreed Zimmerman's life could be in danger if he was released.
"Will he be a threat to other people? Quite frankly, some people might want to get at him," said the prosecuting attorney.
But the judge granted bail of $150,000.
As Zimmerman waited to leave court, he managed a broad smile. And when he was finally led away, a bulletproof vest was clearly visible under his jacket.
