George Zimmerman Bail set at $150G

In a stunning turn, the neighborhood watch volunteer who shot an unarmed 17-year-old to death took the stand in Florida and apologized to his victim’s parents Friday before a judge set his bail at $150,000.

“I want to say I’m sorry for the loss of your son,” a shackled George Zimmerman said to Trayvon Martin’s mother and father, who were in the courtroom. “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.”

It is the first time Zimmerman has spoken in his own defense in the racially charged case that has gripped the nation.

The 28-year-old was led to the witness box wearing a suit and tie with a chain around his waist and his arms cuffed at his sides. He has been in jail on a second-degree murder count after initially not being being charged with any crime.

Zimmerman said he was “fairly certain” he asked cops to tell Trayvon’s family he was sorry for what happened immediately after the Feb. 26 incident.

But the accused murderer was then informed “not to communicate with them” and did not reached out to Trayvon’s grieving relatives until Thursday night, when his request to meet was rejected.

Trayvon’s parents, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, sat in the front row of the courtroom in Sanford, Fla., but had no visible reaction to Zimmerman’s personal plea for forgiveness.

They later walked out appearing angry and distraught but did not speak.

Trayvon’s uncle Mark Fulton fumed, “Common criminals get higher bail than that. Where’s the justice?”

Zimmerman will not be released Friday as it will take several days for the two sides to work out the finer details of his bail package.

Florida Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester Jr. said Zimmerman must wear an electronic monitoring device, cannot have any firearms, drink alcohol or use drugs.

He is also forbidden from contacting Martin’s family and must observe a curfew.

Lester said there is a chance Zimmerman will be allowed to leave the state, given concerns for his safety. His lawyer, Mark O’Mara, said numerous locations have been secured.

“He’s happy he's going to be back with his family,” O’Mara said after the hearing.

Zimmerman’s testified earlier Friday that she had never seen him angry and he wouldn’t be a danger if released from custody.

The nursing student, speaking by phone, said she would “absolutely” take responsibility for ensuring her husband returns to court to face second-degree murder charges in the case.

“He is not a violent person nor a threat to the community,” Shellie Zimmerman said.