ABC News: Enhanced Video May Show Zimmerman Injuries
SANFORD (CBSMiami) - The debate over injuries neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman allegedly received at the hands of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin the night Zimmerman shot and killed him became more focused Monday, after ABC News broadcast enhanced police videotape they said shows some kind of injury to the back of Zimmerman's head.
Zimmerman told police that Martin beat him nearly to death after a confrontation in the Sanford gated community Travon was visiting with his father, but critics looking at police surveillance video following the arrest said they saw no obvious injuries. The issue was muddied by the quality of the tape, which didn't provide much detail.
ABC News hired Forensic Protection, a California video and audio enhancement firm, to try to improve the quality of the tape, and after a review of the results, broadcast a report that claimed to show a gash or welt on the back of Zimmerman's head.
The enhanced video showed Zimmerman's head when he turned away from the camera.
Despite the claim, the video as broadcast is still open to interpretation. No blood is visible on Zimmerman or his clothing, and it was not clear what if anything was on Zimmerman's neck.
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After he shot Martin to death, claiming self defense, police reported Zimmerman was treated on the scene by paramedics. While police said there were injuries, and Zimmerman's family said his nose was broken, no official assessment of his condition has been made public.
Zimmerman was released after his visit to the Sanford Police Department and was not charged with any crime. Supporters claim his injuries prove he was justified in killing Trayvon. The teen's family and supporters claim the video proves Zimmerman was not injured, despite his claims, and that Trayvon's shooting is not justified.
