A new photograph of George Zimmerman, taken just three minutes after he shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, shows blood trickling down the back of his head, adding credence to Zimmerman’s claim that Martin bashed his head against the ground.
The photo, obtained by ABC News, shows blood dripping down from two cuts and a possible contusion forming on Zimmerman’s crown. The police report from the night Martin was shot notes that the back of Zimmerman’s head was wet and that he was bleeding from the nose and head.
Zimmerman was treated at the scene by paramedics, but he was not admitted to the hospital or given stitches the night of the incident.
Investigators have seen the photo, ABC News reported, but the Martin family attorney doesn’t believe Zimmerman’s wound was significant.
“How bad could it have been if they didn’t take him to the hospital [and] didn’t stitch him up,” the Martins’ lawyer Benjamin Crump said in a statement. “The special prosecutor has seen all the evidence and still believes George Zimmerman murdered Trayvon Martin.”
The person who took the photo told ABC that they heard, but didn’t see, the scuffle that night. The source saw Martin’s body on the ground and says the gunpowder marks on Martin’s hoodie show that the teen was shot at very close range.
After the shooting Zimmerman asked to call his wife, according to ABC’s source. When the source asked what to say, Zimmerman blurted out “man, just tell her I shot someone.”
Martin was killed on February 26. Zimmerman, who is being held on charges of second-degree murder and has a bail hearing today, claims he shot the teen in self-defense.
Florida officials are preparing for a possible backlash today if Zimmerman walks free from his bond hearing.
Barricades were placed outside Seminole County Courthouse in Sanford. An Emergency Operations Center was on standby and a SWAT team will be placed on alert.
“We are prepared for all the contingencies,” Sanford city manager Norton Bonaparte told myFOXorlando.com.
Zimmerman’s attorney took extra steps to keep the shooter’s relatives safe. Mark O’Mara asked a judge Thursday to keep phone numbers of family members private. They planned to testify by telephone to support Zimmerman.
O’Mara added, “[There is] a lot of built-up emotion, there have been threats and concerns.”
He said his client had a good chance of bonding out of jail, as long as it was a reasonable amount of money.
He said, “He’s very worried about the process, but we have built a trust relationship which is great, and he’s hopeful he’ll be out on bond tomorrow [Friday]. He certainly wants to be back with his family and safe.”
Martin’s family planned to testify at the hearing.
Factors in whether Zimmerman will get bail include whether he poses a flight risk and is a danger to the community.
He faces life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder.
Protests were staged in Sanford on Thursday calling for former Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee to be fired. Chief Lee stepped down temporarily over rising anger in the Martin shooting.
It comes as Florida Governor Rick Scott was putting together a 17-member task force to examine the controversial “Stand Your Ground” state law that allows someone to defend themselves. He announced Thursday the group will begin work in May.
With NewsCore and Post staff