Court records say George Zimmerman had multiple injuries after Trayvon Martin’s fatal shooting

Published May 16, 2012

George Zimmerman Innocent Trayvon Martin Injured knuckles

Court records show George Zimmerman had a pair of black eyes, a nose fracture and two cuts to the back of his head after the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

The medical records were part of evidence released Tuesday that prosecutors have in the second-degree murder case against Zimmerman. He has entered a plea of not guilty and claims self-defense in the Feb. 26 shooting outside a gated community in Sanford, Fla.

ABC News first reported Zimmerman’s injuries from the medical records. Some of the injuries were previously reported by The Associated Press based on video showing Zimmerman with police officers following the shooting.

Zimmerman, 28, who faces a potential life sentence if convicted, said he only fired his handgun because Martin attacked him. If Zimmerman prevails on his self-defense claim, a judge could dismiss the case before trial.

Local station WFTV also reported Tuesday that an autopsy report showed the only injury Martin had — aside from a fatal gunshot wound — was broken skin on his knuckles. The injury noted in the autopsy report could support Zimmerman’s claim that Martin punched him in the nose before slamming his head on the sidewalk.

Zimmerman is free on $150,000 bail and living in an undisclosed location. He has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder charges that were only filed after the governor appointed a special prosecutor to investigate the slaying in the central Florida city of Sanford.

The case has become a national racial flashpoint because the Martin family and supporters contend Zimmerman singled Martin out because he was black.

It has also sparked renewed debate over “stand your ground” laws pushed by the National Rifle Association. While backers say such laws protect innocent lives, detractors contend they can become a virtual license to kill and are prone to misuse by criminals and misinterpretation by judges.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Autopsy results reportedly indicate Trayvon Martin suffered injuries to knuckles

Autopsy results reportedly indicate that 17-year-old Trayvon Martin had injuries to his knuckles when he died, which could support George Zimmerman’s claim that the unarmed teenager assaulted him before he was fatally shot.WFTV.com reports that a medical examiner found two injuries on Martin’s body: the fatal gunshot wound to the chest and broken skin on his knuckles. The autopsy results surface as court records indicate that Zimmerman had a pair of black eyes, a fractured nose and two cuts to the back of his head after the fatal shooting on Feb. 26.

A message left with Zimmerman’s attorney, Mark O’Mara, was not immediately returned Wednesday.

Bill Sheaffer, a legal analyst for WFTV.com, said the autopsy evidence likely helps Zimmerman’s defense.

“It goes along with Zimmerman’s story that he acted in self-defense, because he was getting beaten up by Trayvon Martin,” he said.

But the injury could also be consistent with Trayvon “either trying to get away or defend himself,” Sheaffer continued.

Meanwhile, ABC News reports that Zimmerman’s medical records were part of evidence released Tuesday that prosecutors have in the second-degree murder case. Zimmerman, who was treated Feb. 27 at Altamonte Family Practice, has pleaded not guilty and has claimed he acted in self-defense. The 28-year-old is free on $150,000 bail and is living in an undisclosed location.