A medical report carried out by the family physician of Trayvon Martin found that the shooter George Zimmerman was diagnosed with a “closed fracture” on his nose, a pair of black eyes, two lacerations on the back of his head, and a back injury.
Zimmerman is charged with the second degree murder of the Florida teen on 26th February. It is believed that this evidence will be used by his defense team, led by attorney Mark O’Mara, in his “stand your ground” law argument.
The defendant claims he shot Martin after a life and death struggle initiated by Martin. Under Florida law, if you believe your life is in danger, you are justified in using deadly force against your attacker.
Although this new physical evidence bolsters Zimmerman’s defense, it does not get him off the hook.
WFTV reported that Trayvon Martin had bloodied knuckles after his death which points to the theory that the pair did fight before Zimmerman shot the teen.
Lawyers on both sides are examining the 67 CDs worth of documents, photographs, videos and autopsy reports. Among the documents is the three-page medical report on Zimmerman’s condition after the incident, ABC news reported exclusively.
The doctor noted that Zimmerman had visited the doctor to receive clearance to return to work.
Zimmerman declined hospitalization on the night of the shooting and refused the doctor’s recommendation to follow-up on his injuries with an ear, nose and throat doctor.
The defendant complained that he was suffering from stress and “occasional nausea when thinking about the violence.” The doctor noted it was “imperative” that Zimmerman “be seen with [sic] his psychologist for evaluation”.
He was not diagnosed with a concussion.
The report showed that prior to the shooting, Zimmerman had been prescribed Adderall and Temazepam, which is known to cause side effects such as agitation and mood swings in ten percent of patients.
Zimmerman maintains that he only drew his gun from the holster when Martin, who had initiated the confrontation, seemed to be reaching for the gun. He took out his gun and shot him in the chest.
The prosecution maintains that Zimmerman instigated the confrontation with the young man who was on his way home after buying skittles and ice tea at the corner store. They say he was breaking no laws and disturbing no one but that Zimmerman profiled him and attacked him.
Zimmerman’s Irish American defense lawyer Mark O’Mara declined to comment.
The case will go to court in August.
Here’s ABC news report:
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