July 14, 2012 at 1:00 am
Federal law enforcement agent let Zimmerman hide out in his home

By Frances Robles

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120714/NATION/207140358/Federal-law-enforcement-agent-let-Zimmerman-hide-out-his-home?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

Miami— In the height of the national outrage over the shooting of Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman hid out for over a month in nearby Lake Mary at the home of a federal law enforcement agent — a former Seminole County Sheriff's deputy who was pressured to quit after he was duped by a con artist and violated department policy.

He was the friend who taught Zimmerman how to shoot, and whose wife presided over Zimmerman's wedding. As lesser acquaintances granted television interview after television interview, Mark Osterman never showed his face even as he offered shelter to a friend in need who at one point was one of the most controversial people in America.

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"He described Zimmerman as a person of strong character, but not very street wise," the report states. "He has never known Zimmerman to be in a fist fight. Zimmerman stays in casual contact with a lot of people, but is not known to have any other close friends."

Osterman described Zimmerman as frugal and organized. Osterman hosted a graduation party for Zimmerman when he completed his associate's degree at Seminole State College. The report makes note that Osterman "did not see the diploma."