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Documents Reveal New Details in Trayvon Martin Killing

HeadlineMay 18, 2012

Florida prosecutors have released a trove of documents revealing new details about the night George Zimmerman shot dead the unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida. The evidence indicates a fight occurred between the two, but police determined the deadly encounter was “ultimately avoidable” if Zimmerman had “remained in his vehicle and awaited the arrival of law enforcement.” The police also concluded, “There is no indication that Trayvon Martin was involved in any criminal activity at the time of the encounter.” Autopsy results show Martin died from a single gunshot wound to the chest, with the bullet going through his heart. The new documents also show Sanford police received an anonymous tip less than two full days after the shooting — before it became widely known to the public. The caller refused to identify herself but said that Zimmerman “has racist ideologies and … is fully capable of instigating a confrontation that could have escalated to the point of [him] having to use deadly force.” The caller was never tracked down.

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