And, remember that these laws include a phrase equivalent to “grievous physical injury”.
Zimm may not have feared for his life but understood the possibility of severe concussion and long term brain damage.
Zimm may not have feared for his life but understood the possibility of severe concussion and long term brain damage.
Zimmerman, knowing that he (himself) was armed, knew that if he lost consciousness, his attacker could then take his pistol and kill him with it. That would be a reason to fear for your life, in addition to having your head bashed on the concrete.
It would be entirely reasonable to fear for your life with that much head damage, and most objective people would recognize that. It would also be reasonable to fear for your life when you're being rushed by a football player and you're not on a football field, even before any damage is inflicted.