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New Photo Shows George Zimmerman's Head Was Bleeding Night Of Trayvon Martin Shooting


By

Ben Yakas

Published Apr 20, 2012

Modified Apr 20, 2012


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By

Ben Yakas

Published Apr 20, 2012

Modified Apr 20, 2012


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A new photo of George Zimmerman—the former neighborhood watch captain who has been charged with second degree murder of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin—shows that he was bleeding from the head on the night he fatally shot Trayvon. Zimmerman has long claimed that he was acting in self-defense during a life and death situation in shooting Trayvon on the night of Feb. 26, but thus far, there has been little evidence of any wounds on Zimmerman.

According to ABC, the photo was apparently taken three minutes after Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon. You can see blood trickling down the back of Zimmerman's head from two cuts, as well as a possible contusion forming on the crown of his head.

The person who took the photograph told ABC that they did not see the fight that night, but did hear it. The person told them he saw Martin's body on the wet grass, and said the gunpowder burns on Martin's gray hoodie were clearly visible. He added that after the shooting, Zimmerman instructed him to call his wife. When the photographer asked him what to say, Zimmerman blurted out, "Man, just tell her I shot someone."

Zimmerman initially claimed Trayvon had punched him in the face, knocked him down and bashed his head into the sidewalk. The original police report noted that the back of Zimmerman's head was wet, and that he was bleeding from the nose and head. But surveillance video from the Sanford police station that night had shown little indication of any injuries.

The Martin family lawyer Benjamin Crump said in a statement: "How bad could it have been if they didn't take him to the hospital [and] didn't stitch him up. The special prosecutor has seen all the evidence and still believes George Zimmerman murdered Trayvon Martin."

Today, Zimmerman and his lawyer Mark O'Mara are currently asking for bail at a hearing. Before the hearing, Zimmerman's camp had contacted Trayvon's family to invite them to meet Zimmerman, which they turned down and called "self-serving:" “He had a Web page — never apologized there. Had the voicemails we’ve heard—never apologized then,” Crump said at a news conference. “So, we feel that you all can conclude for yourselves what motivations there are.” We'll have more information on the bail hearing soon.

Tagged

bail

bleeding

florida

george zimmerman

sanford

trayvon martin

trial


Ben Yakas

Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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