“The record shows that Zimmerman was roughed up by an overzealous LEO, and defended himself, and the case was dropped when Zimmerman agreed not to sue.”
That's incorrect ---
In 2005, Zimmerman was arrested and charged with “resisting officer with violence” and “battery of law enforcement officer,” both which are third-degree felonies. The charge was reduced to “resisting officer without violence” and then waived when he entered an alcohol education program. Contemporaneous accounts indicate he shoved an officer who was questioning a friend for alleged underage drinking at an Orange County bar. It was a first offense, and Zimmerman got off with a pretrial anger management diversion program.
Charges: ZIMMERMAN, GEORGE MICHAEL
1. CR-RESISTING OFFICER WITH VIOLENCE ..............843.01 .................Third Degree - Felony 07/16/2005
2. BATTERY ON LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER ..............784.07(2)(B)........ .Third Degree - Felony 07/16/2005
Video with David Chico, the lead prosecutor on the case, here.