Police Video: Zimmerman In Cuffs, No Apparent Injuries
SANFORD (CBSMiami/AP) -- Newly-released video obtained by ABC News of the man who shot and killed Trayvon Martin shows George Zimmerman with no apparent injuries, right after he claims Martin attacked him.
That is raising new questions about Zimmerman's claim of self-defense.
The surveillance video shows the admitted shooter being led in handcuffs from a police car into the Sanford police station the night of the shooting. Zimmerman told police he shot Trayvon Martin in self defense after the 17-year-old allegedly slammed his head into the ground and broke his nose. Police never arrested the neighborhood watch captain.
An attorney for the teen's family said it is obvious to him that Zimmerman did not have injuries to his face and head as his supporters have asserted.
"When you look at that video with your eyes and listen to the 911 tapes we had to sue for, everybody in America now sees that the police report was a fabrication," said attorney Ben Crump. "George Zimmerman doesn't exhibit a broken nose. He doesn't exhibit blood on the back of his head. He doesn't exhibit his clothes messed up. So America can judge for themselves."
Sanford police Sgt. David Morgenstern on Wednesday confirmed that the video is of Zimmerman. The 28-year-old's head and face are visible throughout and he is dressed in a red and black fleece jacket. Police are shown frisking Zimmerman whose hands were handcuffed behind his back. They then lead him into a building.
"You don't have to take my word for it. You don't have to take Trayvon's mother nor his father's word for it. You just look at it with your eyes and listen with your ears and that's all the evidence you need in this case. And it's one of those things. think about those incoming phone records from Trayvon. He was on the phone with his girlfriend walking home with Skittles and an iced tea, just trying to get home and you heard the 911 tape and it's clear when you add up all this evidence George Zimmerman needs to be arrested today," said Crump.
Zimmerman said that on February 26 he was pursuing the 17-year-old Martin, who was not armed, because the teen was acting suspiciously. He said he lost sight of the teenager and Martin attacked him as he headed back to his sport utility vehicle.
The neighborhood watch volunteer told police he fired in self-defense and he was not arrested, touching off widespread public outrage and protests across the country. Zimmerman's attorney, Craig Sonner, has said in more than one interview that his client's nose was broken during the fight with Martin.
The Orlando Sentinel, citing anonymous sources, has reported that Martin grabbed Zimmerman's head and banged it several times against the sidewalk. A statement from Sanford police said the newspaper's story was "consistent" with evidence turned over to prosecutors.
Crump called the video "riveting" and "icing on the cake" that Zimmerman should be held accountable for what happened.
Since the shooting, Zimmerman's supporters say he's gone into hiding and that he and his family have gotten death threats.
Thursday night, Zimmerman's brother Robert defended his sibling on CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight", saying the scrutiny has taken a toll on his health.
"He has very severe emotional injuries. He's been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder," said Zimmerman.
He also said he believes Zimmerman was injured the night of the shooting.
"We're confident the medical records are going to explain all of George's medical history, both how he was treated at the scene and how he was not," said Zimmerman. "To me it looks like his nose is swollen. I'm his brother. That particular piece of information about the video or about how he thinks his appearance may or may not be. What I think I see is a swollen nose. I'm not a physican you're not a physician. A lot of these injuries take time---24 hours, 36 hours---to show the bruising."
In an interview with Orlando station WOFL FOX 35 that aired Wednesday night, Zimmerman's father, also named Robert Zimmerman, said that despite dispatchers telling his son to stop following Martin, he kept going so he could get an address for police to check. He said his son was suspicious because of several break-ins and thought it was strange for someone to be walking between the town homes on a rainy night.
Sonner said the gash on the back of Zimmerman's head probably was serious enough for stitches, but he waited too long for treatment so the wound was already healing. Miguel Meza, who identified himself as Zimmerman's cousin, said Zimmerman was in "the fight of his life."
(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
