Shellie Zimmerman, attorney hold news conference in Orlando

Wife of George Zimmerman speaks out for 1st time since domestic incident

ORLANDO, Fla. – Shellie Zimmerman and her attorney held a news conference to discuss the alleged domestic disturbance incident with her estranged husband, George Zimmerman.

[READ: Police report | DASH CAM VIDEO: Zimmerman in cuffs | VIDEO: Surveillance released | Shellie holds news conference | PICS: Zimmerman apprehended | Zimmerman questioned | AUDIO: 911 call ]

Attorney Kelly Sims started off the news conference by apologizing to Shellie Zimmerman, Lake Mary police and the "rest of the world" for not calling police in the first place to retrieve her belongings from the home shared by the Zimmermans.

Sims then gave a play-by-play of what events led to the Monday incident, reading text messages between Shellie and George. Sims said that George Zimmerman was at the home when Shellie was trying to move things out, taking pictures and not saying anything.

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Sims said Shellie and George had an agreement that they wouldn't be at the house together at the same time, but George still "showed up" to the home on Sprucewood Road even though he "knew he wasn't supposed to be there."

After Shellie called authorities, police were investigating and George Zimmerman did not give police surveillance video but later relented after his attorney arrived, Sims said.

Sims also said that George Zimmerman had recently purchased new "junior G-man" shoulder holster and his shirt was open, so Shellie Zimmerman feared a gun.

"Shellie had valid reason why she believed George was armed," Sims said, adding that Shellie wants her divorce "to end with a whimper, not with a bang."

Sims also described Shellie Zimmerman's life since George's July 2013 acquittal in Travyon Martin's death as like the "Tower of Terror," but said that neither Shellie, nor George want to press charges and that Shellie is not seeking an injunction.

"I hope Mr. Zimmerman stays away. Shellie will stay away," Sims said, adding that George Zimmerman brought his bodyguard and another woman to the house.

Police released the report earlier Wednesday detailing what Shellie Zimmerman claims happened and what George Zimmerman claims happened.

At an earlier news conference Wednesday, police said the focus of the investigation is the video from Shellie Zimmerman's broken iPad, which was recording the incident as it happened. Police said it may take months to get the video out of the destroyed iPad.

The incident came days after Shellie Zimmerman filed for divorce and discussed her relationship with George Zimmerman during a TV interview.

George Zimmerman is still legally allowed to carry a weapon.

Since being acquitted in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman has been pulled over twice for speeding.

Lake Mary is located about 20 miles north of Orlando and 5 miles southwest of Sanford, where Zimmerman fatally shot Martin.

Watch Local 6 and stay with ClickOrlando.com for more on this story.


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