bonnie Posted April 20, 2012 Posted April 20, 2012 http://abcnews.go.com/US/george-zimmerma...49#.T5FQs9lWBIQ Warning Graphic Photo: Possible New Evidence Shows George Zimmerman's Bloodied Head PHOTO: George Zimmerman is shown in this booking photo, April 11, 2012. By MATT GUTMAN (@mattgutmanABC) and SENI TIENABESO (@senijr_abc) April 20, 2012 A new photograph obtained exclusively by ABC News showing the bloodied back of George Zimmerman's head, which was apparently taken three minutes after he shot and killed Trayvon Martin, gives possible credence to his claim that Martin had bashed his head against the concrete as Zimmerman 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 a Florida jail. Zimmerman, 28, is being held on charges of second-degree murder for the Feb. 26 shooting of Martin, 17, which could carry a life sentence if he is convicted. The exclusive image shows blood trickling down the back of Zimmerman's head from two 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. PHOTO: George Zimmerman is shown in this booking photo, April 11, 2012. Sanford Police Department/AP Photo George Zimmerman is shown in this booking... View Full Size PHOTO: George Zimmerman is shown in this booking photo, April 11, 2012. Sanford Police Department/AP Photo George Zimmerman is shown in this booking photo, April 11, 2012. Zimmerman Injury Photo: New Layer to Defense Watch Video Zimmerman's Attorney Doesn't Request Bail Watch Video Zimmerman to Apologize to Trayon Martin's Family? Watch Video 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 person who took the photograph of a bloodied Zimmerman, asking not to be identified, told ABC News exclusively that they did not see the scuffle that night, but did hear it. The person recalled seeing Martin's prostrate body on the wet grass and said the gunpowder burns on Martin's gray hoodie were clearly visible. The photographer said that after the shooting, Zimmerman asked the photographer to call his wife. When the photographer asked him what to say, Zimmerman blurted out, "Man, just tell her I shot someone." Investigators have seen the photo. Martin family attorney Benjamin Crump is skeptical. "How bad could it have been if they didn't take him to the hospital [and] didn't stitch him up," he 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, said 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 said, 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 needed 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," O'Mara said. 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 avoid a reduction in bail to a set monetary sum, Corey's team would have to prove its case essentially, something legal experts say is unlikely at this point in the legal process. Zimmerman attorney O'Mara said he doubts the prosecutor will reveal its case before the trial. Quote Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It's not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument, or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make, period ... ... Wish more people would realize this. Quotes by Susan Gottesman
bonnie Posted April 20, 2012 Author Posted April 20, 2012 With ABC News’ release of the George Zimmerman photo showing blood flowing freely from his head, the question becomes whether Angela Corey, the prosecutor in the case, had access to the photo before charging Zimmerman with second-degree murder. The arrest affidavit did not mention the photograph, or the bleeding, gashes, and bruises on Zimmermans’ head. Professor Alan Dershowitz of Harvard Law School stated upon release of the arrest affidavit that it was “so thin that it won’t make it past a judge on a second degree murder charge … everything in the affidavit is completely consistent with a defense of self-defense.” After the release of the photo, however, Dershowitz went much further, telling Breitbart News that if the prosecutors did have the photo and didn’t mention it in the affidavit, that would constitute a “grave ethical violation,” since affidavits are supposed to contain “all relevant information.” Dershowitz continued, “An affidavit that willfully misstates undisputed evidence known to the prosecution is not only unethical but borders on perjury because an affiant swears to tell not only the truth, but the whole truth, and suppressing an important part of the whole truth is a lie." When asked if it made a difference whether the prosecution had the bloody photograph at the time they charged Zimmerman, Dershowitz responded, “We do know that there were earlier photographs before the affidavit was done that strongly suggested blood on the back of the head, and we know the police had first access to him, so if there was blood they [the prosecution] would know about it … "I've had cases in Florida against prosecutors,” Dershowitz said, “and this is not the first time they have willfully omitted exculpatory evidence. It's a continuing problem. Here, it’s not only immoral, but stupid. The whole country is watching. What do they benefit from having half-truths in an affidavit?" Dershowitz added, "I'm not taking sides, but I'm insisting that both sides play by the rules, and so far the prosecution is not playing by the rules." Quote Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It's not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument, or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make, period ... ... Wish more people would realize this. Quotes by Susan Gottesman
CyberGuy Posted April 22, 2012 Posted April 22, 2012 This is going to be an interesting case. I expect Zimmerman will be aquitted if the jury has any backbone but if that happens expect Obamas DOJ to file Federal civil rights violation charges against Zimmerman. Zimmerman has to serve jail time some think to avoid race riots in the streets some think. It is sad that it comes down to this. Quote Riverside CA
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