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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: Zimmerman given new bail conditions

From Wire Reports

ORLANDO, Fla. – A Florida judge granted $1 million bail Thursday for former neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman, but questioned his honesty and suggested he had plotted to leave the country when he was out of jail the first time.

Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester referred to Zimmerman with words like “conceal” and “flee” more than a dozen times in an eight-page order that would let him out of jail while he awaits his second-degree murder trial in the shooting of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin.

The judge set much stricter bail terms than those established during Zimmerman’s April hearing. The 28-year-old must stay in Seminole County. He must be electronically monitored, can’t open a bank account, obtain a passport or set foot on the grounds of the local airport. He has a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew.

Experts: Capsized boat was overcrowded

OYSTER BAY, N.Y. – A yacht that capsized with 27 friends and family aboard on an outing to watch Fourth of July fireworks was severely overcrowded and doomed to tip over, safety experts said Thursday as the skipper blamed the tragedy on a wave that came out of the dark.

Three children died after becoming trapped Wednesday night in the cabin of the 34-foot vessel off Oyster Bay, on the north shore of Long Island.

Sal Aureliano, who was at the helm of the Candi I, told TV’s News12 Long Island that he saw two lightning bolts and then a wave suddenly hit.

“It turned the boat around,” he said, his voice cracking.

The cause of the accident was under investigation.

Phil Cusumano, a Boston-based safety instructor and yacht captain with 35 years of experience, said there is no question the boat was badly overloaded. He said he would limit a vessel of that size to six adults. Other boating sites suggested a maximum of 15 passengers.