If $61,747.54 sounds like a lot of money for living expenses for 8 months -- you are right. It’s more than most people earn in a year. Most of George’s living expenses for the first several months were allocated to providing a safe, secure place for George and his wife, Shellie, to live.
Until George’s bond was revoked on June 1, he was living in a mobile home, out of state. It was a very secure location, and the intent was for George to make that his primary residence until his trial, and there were some expenses incurred to ensure the home was suitable for George and his wife, (including $2,500 to run a phone line to the house so he could meet his court-ordered bond requirements).
When the Court set a second bond on July 5, one of the conditions was that George had to stay within Seminole County. George had to abandon the home that he set up out of state.
Once in Seminole County, George found finding a secure home difficult. The defense team worked hard to find someone willing to rent to George Zimmerman because there was a perceived liability associated with renting to him, and there was a concern that George would have to abandon that residence too, if circumstances were to change. During this time, George and Shellie lived in a series of modest hotels -- mostly two-room extended stay suites. This cost the Defense Fund several thousands per month.
By the end of September, acceptable living arrangements were made, and the rent is reasonable. With luck, and if the location of the home is not discovered by the public, George and Shellie should be able to remain there until trial.
