Warning Graphic Photo: Possible New Evidence Shows George Zimmerman's Bloodied Head
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A new photograph obtained exclusively by ABC News showing the bloodied back of George Zimmerman's head, which was taken three minutes after he shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, gives possible credence to his claim that Martin had bashed his head against the concrete as he fought for his life.
Click here to view the image. Warning: graphic content.
The revelation comes as his attorney and prosecutors prepare for Zimmerman's bail hearing today, which could result in his being released from jail. Zimmerman, 28, is being held on charges of second-degree murder for the Feb. 26 shooting of Martin, which could carry a life sentence if he is convicted.
The exclusive image shows blood trickling down the back of George Zimmerman's head from two small cuts. It also shows a possible contusion forming on the crown of his head. The original police report that night notes that the back of Zimmerman's head was wet, and that he was bleeding from the nose and head.
Zimmerman told police that night that he shot and killed the teenager in self-defense after Martin punched him and pounced on him. Zimmerman told police that Martin then bashed his head into the concrete sidewalk during the altercation that took place in the tidy middle-class development of the Retreat at Twin Lakes in Sanford, Fla.
Zimmerman was treated at the scene by paramedics, then cuffed and driven in a police cruiser to the Sanford police station. He was questioned for hours and later released. In police surveillance video obtained last month by ABC News Zimmerman's wounds are not apparent, and there were no bandages on his head.
Zimmerman was not admitted to a hospital or given stitches the night of the incident.
The photographer told ABC News exclusively that they did not see the scuffle that night, but did hear it. The source saw Martin's prostrate body on the wet grass and claims the gunpowder burns on Martin's gray hoodie were clearly visible; the gunpowder marks could show that Martin was shot at very close range.
The photographer says that after the shooting Zimmerman asked to call his wife. When the photographer asked what to say, Zimmerman allegedly blurted out "man, just tell her I shot someone."
ABC News has learned that investigators have seen the photo.
"How bad could it have been if they didn't take him to the hospital [and] didn't stitch him up," Martin family attorney Benjamin Crump said in a statement to ABC News in response to the image. "The special prosecutor has seen all the evidence and still believes George Zimmerman murdered Trayvon Martin."
Zimmerman's attorney Mark O'Mara says his client has spent enough time behind bars.
"He needs to get out. He should not be in jail," O'Mara said. "I want him out because I need him out. He wants to get out. His family wants it out. It should happen."
If Zimmerman is released, his attorney tells ABC News that he has a number of potential safe houses prepared. In the meantime O'Mara says the former altar boy, who has become America's highest profile defendant, has been reading the Bible while in protective custody.
In a bail hearing in Florida, the burden of proof to deny bail, even in a second degree murder trial, is higher than necessary to seek a conviction in a trial.
"They would have to prove that the presumption of guilt is great, and that the proof is evident," said O'Mara.
In the capias -- similar to a warrant -- filed against Zimmerman last week, Special Prosecutor Angela Corey and her team set bail at "none." In order to reduce that to bail at a set monetary sum, Corey's team would have to essentially prove their case -- something experts tell ABC News is unlikely at this point in the legal process.
O'Mara said he doubts the prosecutor will reveal their case before trial, even before discovery.
Quoting FromAtoZ:I am not saying the back of his head was not injured.
But.........am I the only one who feels that photo may be a tad messed with? The fact that the top of that wound appears to be an exact, straight line, is what caught my attention at first.
It could very well be the quality, of lack thereof, of the photo.
I admit, after what happened to my daughter yesterday and seeing the impact, the blood, the overall signs of trauma, I am skeptical when it comes to this. Meaning, going off photos shown, they are either poor quality, I am just not seeing it or......hell, I don't know.
ALSO, i noticed something, too. That is not the type of wound you would get from your head smashing into the ground. It is too clean. It looks more like a cute from a knife, to me. Just my opinion...
Quoting EireLass:I wonder why it's just showing up now. And who took the photo?
I heard about this photo about a week or so ago. This is the first I have seen of it, though.. That, in itself, it interesting... I believe the police took it, but they have suffered serious scrutiny and the Chief was found to be incompetent... So, I am not sure they are a reliable source..
Quoting romalove:
Quoting TruthSeeker.:
Zimmerman should not have been following the boy after being told not to by police, but making a poor choice does not mean it is ok for someone to attack you and smack your head into the ground. "Feeling" threatened or scared because someone is following you does not mean you have the right to attack them. You just don't.
I don't know why you wouldn't want to see the photo or why you feel it doesn't matter. Of course it does. Zimmerman claims self defense. This could help prove it was. Before being attacked and shooting Martin, Zimmerman wasn't doing anything illegal. He was just being stupid.
I see both sides of this story and see the wrongs on both sides. I do feel Zimmerman should be charged with something, but I'm not sure it should be murder.
Quoting romalove:
It matters not if the photo shows injury to his head. I won't even look at it.
What matters is, why? How did that come to be?
I know one thing, and that's if Zimmerman did not follow Trayvon, there would have been no altercation. Trayvon very well could have felt threatened by Zimmerman (some unknown guy following him and it turns out he has a gun) and that's why they ended up with Zimmerman getting hurt.
I am glad he will stand trial.
Oh, we completely disagree on this issue.
Zimmerman and Trayvon did not know each other. Why would Trayvon attack a complete stranger for no reason? We know Trayvon was unarmed. Why didn't Zimmerman, if Trayvon approached him, tell him he had a gun or show him?
The reason I don't care to see wounds on Zimmerman's head is a) I don't know how accurate the photo is and b) it doesn't tell me what happened that led up to that point.
If Zimmerman could shoot a boy claiming self-defense, then certainly Trayvon could have been "standing his ground" against a stranger who was tailing him.
That's why I said I want to see a trial, and not pictures now.
How is someone who is walking behind you a threat to your life? Do you think Zimmerman just pulled his gun out and shot this kid without provocation? Really? You don't think it's possible that Martin jumped Zimmerman first? I'd like to see it go to trial also so we can get all the facts and evidence of the case and not just assumptions.
I think he will prob end up taking a plea.
Quoting Carpy:
I agree, I just don't think they will convince a jury of second degree murder. Manslaughter with a plea or he may walk.
Quoting TruthSeeker.:
Zimmerman should not have been following the boy after being told not to by police, but making a poor choice does not mean it is ok for someone to attack you and smack your head into the ground. "Feeling" threatened or scared because someone is following you does not mean you have the right to attack them. You just don't.
I don't know why you wouldn't want to see the photo or why you feel it doesn't matter. Of course it does. Zimmerman claims self defense. This could help prove it was. Before being attacked and shooting Martin, Zimmerman wasn't doing anything illegal. He was just being stupid.
I see both sides of this story and see the wrongs on both sides. I do feel Zimmerman should be charged with something, but I'm not sure it should be murder.
Quoting romalove:
It matters not if the photo shows injury to his head. I won't even look at it.
What matters is, why? How did that come to be?
I know one thing, and that's if Zimmerman did not follow Trayvon, there would have been no altercation. Trayvon very well could have felt threatened by Zimmerman (some unknown guy following him and it turns out he has a gun) and that's why they ended up with Zimmerman getting hurt.
I am glad he will stand trial.
He was not found to be incompetent, he stepped aside because of all the rhetoric.
Quoting Aislinn:
Quoting EireLass:I wonder why it's just showing up now. And who took the photo?
I heard about this photo about a week or so ago. This is the first I have seen of it, though.. That, in itself, it interesting... I believe the police took it, but they have suffered serious scrutiny and the Chief was found to be incompetent... So, I am not sure they are a reliable source..
Quoting TruthSeeker.:
Zimmerman should not have been following the boy after being told not to by police, but making a poor choice does not mean it is ok for someone to attack you and smack your head into the ground. "Feeling" threatened or scared because someone is following you does not mean you have the right to attack them. You just don't.
I don't know why you wouldn't want to see the photo or why you feel it doesn't matter. Of course it does. Zimmerman claims self defense. This could help prove it was. Before being attacked and shooting Martin, Zimmerman wasn't doing anything illegal. He was just being stupid.
I see both sides of this story and see the wrongs on both sides. I do feel Zimmerman should be charged with something, but I'm not sure it should be murder.
Quoting romalove:
It matters not if the photo shows injury to his head. I won't even look at it.
What matters is, why? How did that come to be?
I know one thing, and that's if Zimmerman did not follow Trayvon, there would have been no altercation. Trayvon very well could have felt threatened by Zimmerman (some unknown guy following him and it turns out he has a gun) and that's why they ended up with Zimmerman getting hurt.
I am glad he will stand trial.
And how many hours did you say you have logged in forensic and crime scene investigation?
Quoting Aislinn:
Quoting FromAtoZ:I am not saying the back of his head was not injured.
But.........am I the only one who feels that photo may be a tad messed with? The fact that the top of that wound appears to be an exact, straight line, is what caught my attention at first.
It could very well be the quality, of lack thereof, of the photo.
I admit, after what happened to my daughter yesterday and seeing the impact, the blood, the overall signs of trauma, I am skeptical when it comes to this. Meaning, going off photos shown, they are either poor quality, I am just not seeing it or......hell, I don't know.
ALSO, i noticed something, too. That is not the type of wound you would get from your head smashing into the ground. It is too clean. It looks more like a cute from a knife, to me. Just my opinion...
Quoting TruthSeeker.:
Quoting romalove:
Quoting TruthSeeker.:
Zimmerman should not have been following the boy after being told not to by police, but making a poor choice does not mean it is ok for someone to attack you and smack your head into the ground. "Feeling" threatened or scared because someone is following you does not mean you have the right to attack them. You just don't.
I don't know why you wouldn't want to see the photo or why you feel it doesn't matter. Of course it does. Zimmerman claims self defense. This could help prove it was. Before being attacked and shooting Martin, Zimmerman wasn't doing anything illegal. He was just being stupid.
I see both sides of this story and see the wrongs on both sides. I do feel Zimmerman should be charged with something, but I'm not sure it should be murder.
Quoting romalove:
It matters not if the photo shows injury to his head. I won't even look at it.
What matters is, why? How did that come to be?
I know one thing, and that's if Zimmerman did not follow Trayvon, there would have been no altercation. Trayvon very well could have felt threatened by Zimmerman (some unknown guy following him and it turns out he has a gun) and that's why they ended up with Zimmerman getting hurt.
I am glad he will stand trial.
Oh, we completely disagree on this issue.
Zimmerman and Trayvon did not know each other. Why would Trayvon attack a complete stranger for no reason? We know Trayvon was unarmed. Why didn't Zimmerman, if Trayvon approached him, tell him he had a gun or show him?
The reason I don't care to see wounds on Zimmerman's head is a) I don't know how accurate the photo is and b) it doesn't tell me what happened that led up to that point.
If Zimmerman could shoot a boy claiming self-defense, then certainly Trayvon could have been "standing his ground" against a stranger who was tailing him.
That's why I said I want to see a trial, and not pictures now.
How is someone who is walking behind you a threat to your life? Do you think Zimmerman just pulled his gun out and shot this kid without provocation? Really? You don't think it's possible that Martin jumped Zimmerman first? I'd like to see it go to trial also so we can get all the facts and evidence of the case and not just assumptions.
I wasn't there; I don't know.
I do know that Zimmerman is the one that targeted Trayvon, and not vice-versa.
I do know that based on the phone call Zimmerman made to 911, there was nothing specific that Trayvon was doing that would make an ordinary person suspicious. He didn't claim Trayvon was breaking into cars, or peering in them, or rattling doorknobs to try and gain entry to an apartment there. He didn't claim he saw him with weapons or drugs. Just that he was walking in a hoodie in the rain.
We do know that Zimmerman was armed and Trayvon was not.
Were you ever followed by someone and you start to walk a little faster to get away from them, you are starting to feel a little nervous, and if you walk faster then the person behind you starts to walk faster too, and then before you know it it almost feels like you're running from someone?
I don't know because I wasn't there, but when I try and put together how Trayvon attacked Zimmerman out of the blue and for no reason, I can't get there without Zimmerman doing something to draw Trayvon's attention.
And I still don't understand why a man with a gun would even be in position to have an unarmed teenage boy on top of him smashing his head into the concrete. All he had to do was show the gun.
Anyway, I'm not saying how things "did" happen because I wasn't there.
I want it to go to trial.
His injuries could have been avoided, and so could this young mans death if Zimmerman hadn't left his vehicle and chased down someone that wasn't DOING ANYTHING. The young mans death is unequivocably the direct result of Zimmermans actions, if he had done as the police asked and stayed in his car and stopped chasing someone he had no right to be chasing down in the first place, NONE of this would have happened. If someone ran up on me and I didn't know who they were or why, I'd fight for my life too- This needs to go through the judicial process so that a jury can be presented with the evidence and make a decision of his innocence or guilt, but I struggle greatly to understand how they might find him not guilty since his uncalled for actions were the direct cause of the entire incident and the death it ended in.
I take "Stand your ground" as someone coming at you with intentions of harming you and you defending yourself. Following someone on the street does not equal trying to harm you. You don't have the right to attack someone. I agree that Zimmerman should not have been following the boy and if he wasn't this probably would not have happened, but having said that Zimmerman was not doing anything that was illegal. What happened to him(if it did happen) was illegal and a crime. Now, if I was following some teen in my neighborhood because I thought he was up to no good and he attacked me I would defend myself. I'm all about minding my own business and not putting myself in these types of situations but other people feel more comfortable doing what they feel is right even if it might be dangerous like in this instance. Z was following someone and they "allegedly" attacked him. I'm sure he won't be making that mistake again.
Quoting jessilin0113:
Does "Stand your ground" only apply if you have a gun? Perhaps I'm not reading your reply correctly, but if people have the right to shoot when they feel threatened, how come they don't have the right to punch? I'm not trying to be belligerent or anything. I'm with Roma, though. If Zimmerman had not pursued, this never would have happened. Regardless, I will say that the media surrounding this has been unfortunate. If Zimmerman is found not guilty, his life is going to be screwed up. Remember that guard at the Olympics that everybody assumed was a bomber? Although, parenthetically, if he's guilty I'll appreciate the media for getting the story coverage. It's a paradox!
Quoting TruthSeeker.:
Zimmerman should not have been following the boy after being told not to by police, but making a poor choice does not mean it is ok for someone to attack you and smack your head into the ground. "Feeling" threatened or scared because someone is following you does not mean you have the right to attack them. You just don't.
I don't know why you wouldn't want to see the photo or why you feel it doesn't matter. Of course it does. Zimmerman claims self defense. This could help prove it was. Before being attacked and shooting Martin, Zimmerman wasn't doing anything illegal. He was just being stupid.
I see both sides of this story and see the wrongs on both sides. I do feel Zimmerman should be charged with something, but I'm not sure it should be murder.
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on Apr. 20, 2012 at 5:24 PM