May 18, 2012

PHOTOS: New Evidence Released in Trayvon Martin Case

Trayvon Martin died of a single gunshot to the heart, and had traces of marijuana in his blood and a single scratch on one knuckle when he died, according to a trove of new evidence released by the state of Florida Thursday night. According to the documents, the Sanford police believed that the teen’s death was “ultimately avoidable,” if his killer, George Zimmerman, had “remained in his vehicle and awaited the arrival of law enforcement” on that fateful night in February.

The killing of Trayvon Martin, explained.

The evidence includes hundreds of pages of documents and photographs gathered by Florida Special Prosecutor Angela Corey and shared earlier this week with the attorneys of Zimmerman as part of the discovery process in his trial for second-degree murder. Zimmerman admitted to shooting the 17-year-old Martin in February, but has claimed that he killed the unarmed, hoodie-wearing African American teen in self-defense.

Corey’s office made the evidence available to reporters online Thursday night, and highlights quickly emerged on social media. The evidence included these photos:

The gun George Zimmerman used to kill Trayvon: a 9mm Kel-Tec PF9 double-action pistol: State of FloridaThe gun George Zimmerman used to kill Trayvon: a 9mm Kel-Tec PF9 double-action pistol: State of Florida

A cellphone found at the crime scene, believed to be Trayvon Martin's: State of FloridaA cellphone found at the crime scene, believed to be Trayvon Martin’s: State of Florida

 

Photo of George Zimmerman after the shooting: State of FloridaPhoto of George Zimmerman the night of the shooting: State of Florida

Cuts on Zimmerman's head the night of the shooting: State of FloridaCuts on Zimmerman’s head the night of the shooting: State of FloridaAnd then there’s the first known picture of Zimmerman from on the scene of the shooting. According to the New York Times: “The police took only one photo at the scene of any of Mr. Zimmerman’s injuries — a full-face picture of him that showed a bloodied nose—before paramedics tended to him…It was shot on a department cellphone camera and was not downloaded for a few days, an oversight by the officer who took it.”

The first on-scene photo of Zimmerman, which wasn't recovered from a police officer's cellphone until days after the killing: State of FloridaPhoto of Zimmerman recovered from a police officer’s cellphone days after the killing: State of Florida

Details from the newly released collection of documents quickly emerged on Twitter late Thursday, as journalists pored through the documents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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We can afford to take that time because we don’t report to an oligarch or corporation with a special agenda. We report to you, and for you. That’s why we unabashedly pursue the truth and relentlessly shine a light into the darkness.

In this month’s Summer Membership Drive, we’ve got to raise $200,000 to support more crucial investigations. This is a pivotal moment in our nation, with democracy on the line, and we can only do this work because readers like you step up. Every donation, of any amount, makes a difference here. We cannot do this work without you.

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