SANFORD, Fla. (AP) — Trayvon Martin's family has seized on a police video of neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman, saying it does not show the injuries Zimmerman claims he suffered before fatally shooting the unarmed black teenager.
The 90-second video shows police searching a handcuffed Zimmerman before he is led into the Sanford police department. Zimmerman told police he shot Martin in self-defense. He said Martin attacked him as he was walking back to his vehicle after pursuing the teen.
Zimmerman's attorney, Craig Sonner, has said his client's nose was broken during the fight. Martin's family has questioned Zimmerman's story, and their attorney said the video proved Zimmerman should be held accountable.
AP Photo/HO, Martin Family Photos
Trayvon Martin poses for a family photo.
"This certainly doesn't look like a man who police said had his nose broken and his head repeatedly smashed into the sidewalk," attorney Ben Crump said in a statement. "George Zimmerman has no apparent injuries in this video, which dramatically contradicts his version of the events of Feb. 26."
Zimmerman said he was pursuing the 17-year-old Martin because the teen was acting suspiciously and looked like he was on drugs. He said he lost sight of the teenager and Martin attacked him as he headed back to his sport utility vehicle.
Martin's supporters have said the shooting was racially motivated and they have called for Zimmerman to face charges. Zimmerman's father is white and his mother is Hispanic.
In an interview with Orlando station WOFL FOX 35 that aired Wednesday night, Zimmerman's father, Robert Zimmerman, said that despite dispatchers telling his son to stop following Martin, he kept going so he could get an address for police to check. He said his son was suspicious because of several break-ins in the area and thought it was strange for someone to be walking between the town homes on a rainy night.
The Orlando Sentinel, citing anonymous sources, has reported that Zimmerman told police Martin grabbed his head and banged it several times against the sidewalk. A statement from Sanford police said the newspaper's story was "consistent" with evidence turned over to prosecutors.
Sonner has said the gash on the back of Zimmerman's head probably was serious enough for stitches, but he waited too long for treatment so the wound was already healing.
Since the shooting, Zimmerman has gone into hiding. He and his family have gotten death threats.
Martin's supporters, including a host of outspoken celebrities and civil rights leaders who have appeared on television for the past two weeks, don't believe Zimmerman's story. They want him prosecuted.
You don't see any wounds because Zimmerman was cleaned up and treated by paramedics at the scene. GZ refused transport to the hospital. If you look close enough, it is clearly shown that one of the officers is SEEN examining the back of GZ's head...right where the wound would be.
If you have ANY understanding of how these scenarios happen, police come in and restore order FIRST. THEN, and only then, are paramedics allowed in. They will treat the wounded as effectively as they can and offer transport to the hospital if they think it needed.
NOW, you DO have the right to refuse. But that is up to you. The FACT that the paramedics that were there on scene ASKED GZ to go to the hospital shows that there was concern over his injuries.
SO, is this whole thing one great big grand conspiracy??? Or is it more likely that it was precisely the SELF DEFENSE scenario that EVERYONE...including 100% of the 911 callers AND the officers that were THERE AND the paramedics that treated Zimmerman...ALL corroborate as being Zimmerman's version?
Of course not. The all conspired to hunt down some innocent little kid. That has been caught with drugs. Burglary tools. Gold women's jewelry that "his friend gave to him to hold". His "made" reputation in the Waters Avenue Moneybag Gang. etc etc etc etc.
SEEK THE TRUTH IN THINGS, CITIZENS...Do NOT allow ANYTHING other than your own personal research make your opinions for you.
EMail with all pertinent links, audio and such WILL be forwarded to the HDN staff within the next week to offer proof of everything I've said here. Look for yourself.