Trayvon Martin shooting: George Zimmerman says Trayvon decked him, then began hammering his head

Orlando Sentinel via Sun-Sentinel ^ | Monday, March 26, 2012 | Rene Stutzman

[kristinn]

...Police Say

With a single punch, Trayvon Martin decked the Neighborhood Watch volunteer who eventually shot and killed the unarmed 17-year-old, then Trayvon climbed on top of George Zimmerman and slammed his head into the sidewalk several times, leaving him bloody and battered, authorities have revealed to the Orlando Sentinel.

That is the account Zimmerman gave police, and much of it has been corroborated by witnesses, authorities say.

Zimmerman has not spoken publicly about what happened, but that night, Feb. 26, and in later meetings he described and re-enacted for police what he says happened.

In his version of events, he had turned around and was walking back to his SUV when Trayvon approached him from behind, the two exchanged words then Trayvon punched him in the nose, sending him to the ground, and began beating him.

Zimmerman told police he shot the teenager in self-defense.

SNIP

Police have been reluctant to provided details about all their evidence, but this is what they've disclosed to the Sentinel:

Zimmerman was on his way to the grocery store when he spotted Trayvon walking through his gated community.

Trayvon was visiting his father's fiancée, who lived there. He had been suspended from school in Miami after being found with an empty marijuana baggie. Miami schools have a zero-tolerance policy for drug possession.

Zimmerman called police and reported a suspicious person, describing Trayvon as black, acting strangely and perhaps on drugs.

Zimmerman got out of his SUV to follow Trayvon on foot. When a dispatch employee asked Zimmerman if he was following the 17-year-old, Zimmerman said yes. The dispatcher told Zimmerman he did not need to do that.

There is about a one-minute gap during which police say they're not sure what happened.

[Vigilanteman]

Sounds to me more like somebody got to Martin's father and told him to recant the original report which he made to police because it didn't fit the template.

This is why police do these reports a.s.a.p. after the incident.

[Lady Lucky]

Not doubting for a moment he received head injury and broken nose, but can someone suggest a reason why he would not go to a hospital for that? I’d be worried about possible hematoma, or passing out and winding up even more injured on the way home.

[EyeGuy]

And I’m paying to feed and house that arrognatly racist POS, and that 200+ lb female behemoth behind him.....

[Cboldt]

-- That negates any self defense argument in my book. --

So what? Your book is so defective, that you are ridiculed or pitied by those who have a basic understanding of the social contract.

[Truth29]

"This article has also been scrubbed? There is “404 - Not found error” trying to reach the Sun-sentinel We live in interesting times! Who has the ability to do this?"

The article is either still there or back up.

[himno hero]

“That negates any self defense argument in my book.”

That is a very foolish statement in my book. (Do) You work with Obama?

[I cannot think of a name]

“If you go on a safari, you ride in a Land Rover and see lions, leopards, and water buffalo. You do NOT get out of the Land Rover. You become prey when you make that mistake.

Law of the Jungle.”

I like your reasoning.

That means any suspicious person that decides to get out of their neighborhood and walk through mine is fair game.

Gotta go, I’m busy reloading.

[Jeff Chandler]

Interesting. Other reports indicated that he had assaulted a school bus driver.

Yes, with an empty marijuana baggie.

[dead]

He had been suspended from school in Miami after being found with an empty marijuana baggie. Miami schools have a zero-tolerance policy for drug possession.

LOL! It was empty, so there is apparently a less than zero policy for drug possession!

[Paine in the Neck]

More background on Trayvon here:

Was Trayvon a Drug Dealer? by wagist.com

Can't vouch for the site. I note it for completeness' sake. Site seems to be having bandwidth problems so be patient

[maddog55]

Another Tawana Brawley case only this time the perp got what he deserved?

[Waywardson]

That negates any self defense argument in my book.

What "book" would that be? Das Kapitol? Mien Kamph?

In MY book: The Declaration and Constitution, it says INNOCENT. UNTIL. PROVEN. GUILTY. BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT.

And say any thing you want about it, the one thing that IS TRUE: There is more than enough doubt to go around.

[Road Warrior ‘04]

‘Zimmerman got out of his SUV to follow Trayvon on foot.’
That negates any self defense argument in my book.

Other reports said he, Zimmerman, was walking back to his car when he was jumped! Let this thing play out and let's see what happens.

[manc]

following is not a crime, assaulting is.

Here in FL we have a right to defense and when one is on the ground, being pummeled then you have that right by our laws here.
Witnesses also state this happened.

[MrB]

I guess getting out of your car in your own neighborhood must “negate any self defense argument” if you’re attacked when you do so...

yeah, that’s a little tough to swallow.

[ZX12R]

Zimmerman will go down for Manslaughter.

It is becoming more obvious by the day now, that Mr. Zimmerman likely committed no crime whatsoever, and it was justifiable self defense. However, with the boldly racist attorney general Eric Holder making an arrest because he feels it's warranted, regardless of the facts, and then getting an all black jury empaneled, I don't have to strain much to see it happen as you suggest. We have fallen very far, and to very dangerous ground.

[manc]

our local news is now turning against the black panthers and mentioning the facts, shame other media outlets in states which do not have our laws do not understand how our laws work and still pout out photos of a kid aged 12 and 13

[andyk]

He had been suspended from school in Miami after being found with an empty marijuana baggie.

And just after I read another story that claimed he was suspended for being tardy too often.

[Nifster]

I read one report over the weekend that said Zimmerman suffered a broken nose in the attack. If that is true, it would explain the screaming in the background. A broken nose hurts like hell. And to have an ongoing attack, he must have thought is today the day I die? This telling of what happened has the ring of truth to it. It is the kind of thing that has happened to all to many people for just looking at someone the wrong way and then ending with a beat down. There is a class of people ( and this has nothing to do with race.... for those inclined to scream) in this country that act like wild animals. Look at me wrong ( by my definition) and you are dead.

[massgopguy]

In the parlance of bar room altercations. The kid made the mistake of going back in. Zimmerman made the mistake of turning his back to the door.