A new photograph released by ABC News shows a bloodied George Zimmerman with injuries on the back of his head. The photo, which was reportedly taken three minutes after Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin, could serve as possible evidence supporting the neighborhood watch volunteer's claim of his violent confrontation with the teen.
The image shows blood trickling down Zimmerman's head from two cuts, and a possible contusion on the crown of his head. It was released right before Zimmerman's attorneys attended a bail hearing, at which a judge set Zimmerman's bond at $150,000. The neighborhood watch volunteer, 28, was being held on second-degree murder charges for shooting 17-year-old Martin on Feb. 26. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison. The judge said he would not be released today, pending deliberations about the terms of his release.
According to law enforcement authorities, Zimmerman, who maintains he shot the teen in self-defense, told local police that Martin punched him in the face, climbed on top of him and slammed his head into the sidewalk. When the local police arrived at the scene, they found Zimmerman with a bloody nose, swollen lip and lacerations on the back of his head. Although paramedics gave him first aid, he said he did not need to go to the hospital and sought medical treatment the next day.
In a statement to ABC News, Martin family attorney, Benjamin Crump, said he is skeptical.
"How bad could it have been if they didn't take him to the hospital [and] didn't stitch him up? The special prosecutor has seen all the evidence and still believes George Zimmerman murdered Trayvon Martin."
But Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, said it's time for his client to get out of jail.
"He wants to get back with his family," he said. "He wants to be able to help me, he knows that that's very significant."
According to his attorney, if released, Zimmerman has a number of potential safe houses prepared.
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