State Attorney Angela Corey’s office released new documents Tuesday in the case against George Zimmerman, the then-neighborhood watch volunteer who shot and killed Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teen.
The documents follow earlier evidence released last week by Zimmerman’s attorney, Mark O’Mara on the website gzlegalcase.com.
Among the documents released today are initial Sanford Police Department reports of the investigation which reveal that Zimmerman had at least two opportunities to defuse the situation between Martin and himself, according to the lead investigator, Chris Serino.
“Investigative findings show that George M. Zimmerman had at least two opportunities to speak with Trayvon Martin in order to defuse the circumstances surrounding their encounter,” the police report states. “On at least two occasions George Zimmerman failed to identify himself as a concerned resident or a neighborhood watch member to Trayvon Martin.”
Although Zimmerman told investigators he was afraid of Martin, he exited his vehicle and followed Martin in an effort to maintain surveillance on him until officers arrived, actions that are “inconsistent with those of a person who has stated he was in fear of another subject,” the police report states.
The police report also notes that the “physical injuries displayed by George Zimmerman are marginally consistent with a life threatening violent episode as described by him, during which neither a deadly weapon nor deadly force was deployed by Trayvon Martin.”
Serino, who believed there was probable cause to arrest Zimmerman following the fatal shooting of Martin on February 26, has voluntarily requested a reassignment to the patrol division, a statement from the Sanford Police Department said Tuesday.
Six weeks after he fatally shot Martin, Zimmerman was charged with second degree murder when special prosecutor Angela Corey was appointed to take over the investigation.
Although not admissable in court, Zimmerman undertook a Computer Voice Stress Analysis exam. The examiner found that “The examinee has told substantially the complete truth in regards to this examination.”
Zimmerman is due back in court on Friday for a second bond hearing. A judge revoked his earlier bond as he was found to be less than truthful regarding his finances.
Zimmerman’s wife, Shelly Zimmerman, has been charged with perjury for lying about the couple’s financial situation at his first bond hearing in April.
