New Photo of George Zimmerman Shows Bloodied Back of Head - East Idaho News
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New Photo of George Zimmerman Shows Bloodied Back of Head

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041112 GeorgeZimmermanMugshot?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1334920891831Seminole County Sheriff’s Office(SANFORD, Fla.) — A new photograph obtained exclusively by ABC News shows the bloodied back of George Zimmerman’s head.  The photo, taken three minutes after he shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, gives possible credence to his claim that Martin had bashed his head against the concrete as Zimmerman fought for his life.

The revelation comes as his attorney and prosecutors prepare for Zimmerman’s bond hearing on Friday, which could result in him being freed from custody on bail.  The 28-year-old is being held on charges of second-degree murder for the Feb. 26 shooting of Martin, charges that could carry a life sentence if he is convicted.

The exclusive image shows blood trickling down the back of George Zimmerman’s head from two cuts.  It also shows a possible contusion forming on the crown of his head.  The original police report the night of the incident notes that the back of Zimmerman’s head was wet, and that he was bleeding from the nose and head.

[ CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PHOTO — WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT ]

That night, Zimmerman told police he shot and killed Martin in self-defense after the teen punched and pounced on him.  Zimmerman told police that Martin then bashed his head into the concrete ground surface during the altercation that took place in the tidy middle-class development of the Retreat at Twin Lakes in Sanford, Fla.

Zimmerman was treated at the scene by paramedics, then cuffed and driven in a police cruiser to the Sanford police station.  He was questioned and later released. 

In police surveillance video obtained last month by ABC News, Zimmerman’s wounds are not apparent, and there are no bandages on his head.  He also was not admitted to a hospital nor did he have his wounds sutured the night of the incident.

The photographer told ABC News exclusively that they did not see the scuffle that night, but did hear it.  The source saw Martin’s prostrate body on the wet grass and claims the gunpowder burns on Martin’s gray hoodie were clearly visible.  Those gunpowder marks could show that Martin was shot at very close range.

The photographer says that after the shooting, Zimmerman asked to call his wife.  When the photographer asked what to say, Zimmerman allegedly blurted out “man, just tell her I shot someone.”

ABC News has learned that investigators have seen the photo.

“How bad could it have been if they didn’t take him to the hospital [and] didn’t stitch him up,” Martin family attorney Benjamin Crump 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 says 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 tells ABC News that he has a number of potential safe houses prepared.  In the meantime, O’Mara says the former altar boy has been reading the Bible while in protective custody.

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