S. Samuel
The case of slain 17 year-old Trayvon Martin has taken an interesting twist with new evidence revealing an intense fight occurring with shooter George Zimmerman moments prior to the fatal shooting.
New evidence reveals a detailed account of Martin and Zimmerman’s physical encounter shortly before the fatal shooting.
More than 200 pages of photos and eyewitness accounts released by prosecutors Thursday show Zimmerman and Martin were in a loud and bloody fight in the moments leading up to the shooting and that Zimmerman appeared to be getting the worst of it, with wounds both to his face and the back of his head. But the original lead detective in the case believed Zimmerman caused the fight by getting out of his vehicle to confront Martin, who wasn’t doing anything criminal, and then could have defused the situation by telling Martin he was just a concerned citizen and tried to talk to him. He didn’t think Zimmerman could legally invoke Florida’s “stand your ground” law and should be charged with manslaughter. (The Star-Ledger)
Martin’s autopsy report showed traces of marijuana found in his body.
Trayvon Martin had marijuana in his system the night he was gunned down in a Florida condo complex, according to a medical report released Thursday. Martin’s autopsy report shows he had traces of THC, the active ingredient in pot, in his blood and urine. The medical file was among a trove of evidence — including hundreds of pages of interviews and photos — released Thursday. Among the pieces of evidence is a photo of suspect George Zimmerman — taken the night of the encounter — showing him with a bloody nose. Zimmerman also had a one-inch laceration on his head and a forehead abrasion, according to a paramedic report. (New York Daily News)
Zimmerman could face problems in court as a police report claims the slaying was avoidable.
“The encounter between George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin was ultimately avoidable by Zimmerman, if Zimmerman had remained in his vehicle and awaited the arrival of law enforcement, or conversely, if he had identified himself to Martin as a concerned citizen and initiated dialog in an effort to dispel each party’s concern,” the report says. “There is no indication that Trayvon Martin was involved in any criminal activity at the time of the encounter.” (First Coast News)
This week’s new developments could work into the defense team’s favor.
To some legal experts, the new evidence backs up Zimmerman’s original story – that he followed Trayvon, lost him, and was then attacked with “mixed martial arts” blows to a point where he feared for his life. A medical report that was not referenced in the state’s charging affidavit states that Zimmerman sustained a broken nose, two black eyes, and two cuts on the back of his head. The new forensic facts challenge the second-degree murder charge, which, to stick, requires a jury to be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that Zimmerman acted with malicious recklessness in causing Trayvon’s death, says Alan Dershowitz, a Harvard Law School professor whose criticisms of the prosecution stepped up as the state’s evidence was revealed. (CS Monitor)
Video of Trayvon buying Skittles on the night in question:
