Prosecutor Releases Zimmerman - Martin Documents
Friday, May 18, 2012
By: Tom Parkinson

May 18, 2012 | WMFE - The state prosecutor's office released nearly 200 pages of documents, photos and video and audio recordings in the case of George Zimmerman. The neighborhood crime watch volunteer is charged with second-degree murder in the February death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford. Zimmerman has claimed he shot Martin in self-defense.

The documents appear to show that Zimmerman and Martin were involved in a violent altercation in the moments leading up to the shooting. Photos released show Zimmerman with wounds both to his face and the back of his head.

The release also included the autopsy report for Martin which indicates that the gunshot that killed him was fired from no more than 18 inches away. The autopsy also shows trace amounts of marijuana in his system.

Theprosecutor's office also ireleased statements from witnesses including some which seem to validate Zimmerman’s claim that he fired his gun to protect himself against an attack by Martin.

But the original lead detective in the case says he believes Zimmerman caused the fight by getting out of his vehicle to confront Martin, who wasn't doing anything illegal, and could have defused the situation by telling Martin he was just a concerned citizen.