New Accusations In Trayvon Martin Shooting
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The lawyer for Trayvon Martin's family has asked the Justice Department to look into whether Florida prosecutors have been negligent in not charging Neighborhood Watch captain George Zimmerman in the shooting.
Zimmerman insists he shot Martin in self-defense after the teen attacked him inside a gated community.
Attorney Ben Crump said the night of the shooting, a meeting took place where state attorney Norm Wolfinger and Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee "disregarded" a recommendation to arrest Zimmerman.
Both Lee and Wolfinger stepped down last month and special prosecutor Angela Corey, Wofinger's replacement, has been re-interviewing witnesses and examining evidence.
In a statement issued Monday, Wolfinger denied any such meeting took place.
"I encourage the Justice Department to investigate and document that no such meeting or communication occurred. I have been encouraging those spreading the irresponsible rhetoric to stop and allow State Attorney Angela Corey to complete her work."
Some people believe that the Sanford police and the state attorney did not conduct a thorough investigation the night of the shooting and in the following days. Former Miami-Dade police director Robert Parker agrees with them.
"This was a rushed, haphazard, botch, backwards investigation," said Parker.
WebExtra: Fmr. Police Director Robert Parker Discusses The Martin Investigation
The debate over injuries Zimmerman allegedly received at the hands Martin 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, but critics looking at police surveillance video following the arrest said they saw no obvious injuries. 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.
No blood is visible on Zimmerman or his clothing, and it was not clear what if anything was on Zimmerman's neck.
Also, Two audio engineers hired by the Orlando Sentinel analyzed the 911 tapes from the night of the shooting and said screams for help did not come from Zimmerman.
"After 28 years of doing this I would put my reputation on the line and say this is not George Zimmerman screaming," said audio engineer Edward John Primeau.
On "Geraldo at Large" Sunday night, Martin's mother Sybrina Fulton said she's confident Zimmerman will end up behind bars.
"I just truly believe that they're still investigating but things have leaked out and I believe he's going to be arrested very soon."
