ROUGH CUT - NO REPORTER NARRATION
The neighborhood watch volunteer who shot dead an unarmed black teenager in Florida appeared uninjured when he was brought into the police station on the night of the shooting, according to a video released by the City of Sanford on Thursday (March 29).
George Zimmerman told police he shot Trayvon Martin inside a gated community on February 26 in self-defense after Martin attacked him and repeatedly bashed his head into a concrete walkway.
Police have declined to arrest Zimmerman, triggering nationwide protests from citizens, politicians and entertainers who argue that Zimmerman, who is half white and half Hispanic, found the 17-year-old Martin suspicious and followed him because he was black.
Police at the scene said the 28-year-old shooter was bleeding from the nose and the back of the head, and Zimmerman's lawyer said his client suffered a broken nose from Martin's punch.
But no blood or bruising is visible in the video taken by a police surveillance camera that shows uniformed officers leading a handcuffed Zimmerman into the police station, nor are there blood stains visible on his clothes.
Zimmerman appears much leaner in the video than in the image that has been in the media, a 2005 mug shot taken after his arrest for a confrontation with a police officer. His head is almost completely clean shaven in the video, offering a clear view of the back, which shows no discoloration.
Zimmerman's attorney, Craig Sonner, did not respond to a request for comment.
Sanford's police chief resigned temporarily in the face of criticism of the handling of the case, which is under review by the U.S. Justice Department.
Sanford police have referred all questions about the investigation to a special prosecutor appointed by Florida's governor to take over the investigation. A spokeswoman for the special prosecutor did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
