Two new reports seem to give a boost to George Zimmerman’s defense in the Trayvon Martin killing in his claims that there was a big physical struggle that ended in him shooting the unarmed Martin. The trial will sort out what led up to the struggle in light of the fact evidence now confirms there was a fight to the death — and who was at fault. But speculation that Zimmerman was actually not injured and that there was no real fight is laid to rest with these reports:
George Zimmerman had a broken nose, two black eyes and cuts on the back of his head the day after he killed Trayvon Martin, according to a medical report taken by his doctor.
It also emerged on Tuesday that an autopsy showed skin on Trayvon’s knuckles was broken.
The new revelations bolster Zimmerman’s claims that he was being punched and pummeled by the unarmed teen when he opened fire on February 22 in a gated community in Sanford, Florida.
Zimmerman, who is charged with murder in the killing, claims he acted in self-defense and only shot Trayvon when the teen saw the pistol he was carrying and reached for it. It was then, Zimmerman said, he drew the gun himself and pulled the trigger.
On Tuesday, ABC News obtained a medical report from Zimmerman’s family, who examined the neighborhood watch volunteer the day after the shooting. Zimmerman wanted to be checked out so he could be cleared to return to work.
KFTV in Orland also reported on Tuesday that Trayvon had broken skin on his knuckles when his body underwent an autopsy.
The new report contradicts a previous claim by Richard Kurtz, the funeral director who handled the teen’s remains, there was no damage on his knuckles.
Here’s part of the KFTV report which also notes there could be “another explanation” for the state of Martin’s knuckles:
WFTV has confirmed that autopsy results show 17-year-old Trayvon Martin had injuries to his knuckles when he died.
The information could support George Zimmerman’s claim that Martin beat him up before Zimmerman shot and killed him.
The autopsy results come as Zimmerman’s attorney, Mark O’Mara continues to go over other evidence in the case.
O’Mara wouldn’t comment on the autopsy evidence, but WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said it’s better for the defense than it is for the prosecution.
WFTV has learned that the medical examiner found two injuries on Martin’s body: The fatal gunshot wound and broken skin on his knuckles.
When you compare Trayvon’s non-fatal injury with Zimmerman’s bloody head wounds, the autopsy evidence is better for the defense, Sheaffer said.
“It goes along with Zimmerman’s story that he acted in self-defense, because he was getting beaten up by Trayvon Martin,” Sheaffer said.
The injury to Martin’s knuckle also fits with Zimmerman’s story that before he shot and killed Martin, Martin had broken his nose and knocked him to the ground, slamming his head on the sidewalk.
But Sheaffer said there could be another explanation for Martin’s knuckle injury.
“It could be consistent with Trayvon either trying to get away or defend himself,” Sheaffer said.
This case remains highly emotional on both sides (those who believe Zimmerman and those who side with the Martin family). But, in the end, the court will try and determine the chronology and motivation.
One report suggests the FBI is considering charging Zimmerman with a hate crime:
Federal investigators are considering filing hate crime charges against George Zimmerman for killing Trayvon Martin, a local Florida station reported.
Last month, Zimmerman was charged by the state of Florida with second-degree murder for shooting the unarmed teen in February. He faces a maximum of life in prison without parole if convicted on that charge.
If charged and convicted of a hate crime, the 28-year-old volunteer watchman could face the death penalty, Orlando station WFTV reported.
FBI investigators, working on behalf of the Justice Department, have been talking to witnesses in the Sanford, Fla., gated community where Zimmerman admitted to fatally shooting the 17-year-old on Feb. 26, the station reported.
Ultimately, a U.S. attorney in the region would decide whether to file the hate crime charges.
To get a conviction, federal prosecutors would have to prove that Zimmerman stalked and killed the unarmed teen because he was black.
Joe Gandelman is a former fulltime journalist who freelanced in India, Spain, Bangladesh and Cypress writing for publications such as the Christian Science Monitor and Newsweek. He also did radio reports from Madrid for NPR’s All Things Considered. He has worked on two U.S. newspapers and quit the news biz in 1990 to go into entertainment. He also has written for The Week and several online publications, did a column for Cagle Cartoons Syndicate and has appeared on CNN.