A medical report compiled by the family physician of accused Trayvon Martin
murderer George Zimmerman and obtained exclusively by ABC News found
that Zimmerman was diagnosed with a "closed fracture" of his nose, a
pair of black eyes, two lacerations to the back of his head and a minor
back injury the day after he fatally shot Martin during an alleged
altercation.
Zimmerman faces a second degree murder charge for the Feb. 26 shooting
that left the unarmed 17-year-old high school junior dead. Zimmerman has
claimed self defense in what he described as a life and death struggle
that Martin initiated by accosting him, punching him in the face, then
repeatedly bashing his head into the pavement.
Also today, a trove of documents are being examined by lawyers for both
the defense and prosecution as part of discovery in Zimmerman's trial --
including 67 CDs worth of documents, video of Martin on the night of
the shooting, his autopsy report and videos of Zimmerman's questioning
by police.
Zimmerman's three-page medical report is included in those documents that the defense could use as evidence.
Watch World News with Diane Sawyer for the latest on the Trayvon Martin shooting and the trial of George Zimmerman.
The morning after the shooting, on Feb. 27, Zimmerman sought treatment
at the offices of a general physician at a family practice near Sanford,
Fla. The doctor notes Zimmerman sought an appointment to get legal
clearance to return to work.
The record shows that Zimmerman also suffered bruising in the upper lip
and cheek and lower back pain. The two lacerations on the back of his
head, one of them nearly an inch long, the other about a quarter-inch
long, were first revealed in photos obtained exclusively by ABC News
last month.
But the report also shows Zimmerman declined hospitalization the night
of the shooting, and then declined the advice of his doctor to make a
follow-up appointment with an ear nose and throat doctor.
In addition to his physical injuries, Zimmerman complained of stress and
"occasional nausea when thinking about the violence." But he was not
diagnosed with a concussion. The doctor noted that it was "imperative"
that Zimmerman "be seen with [sic] his psychologist for evaluation."
According to the report, prior to the shooting Zimmerman had been
prescribed Adderall and Temazepam, medications that can cause side
effects such as agitation and mood swings, but in fewer than 10 percent
of patients.
A neighbor told ABC News that the day after the shooting he saw
Zimmerman as he spoke to officers outside his home. He too recalled
seeing black eyes and significant swelling -- as well as a bandage over
his nose.
Moments after the shooting Zimmerman told eyewitnesses he shot Martin in
self defense. He later told officers his head was being pounded into
the pavement and that he feared for his life, but that it was only when
Martin seemed to reach for the gun wedges in his waistband that
Zimmerman drew his weapon and fired directly into Martin's chest --
killing him.
The medical notes may bolster Zimmerman's claim that he acted in
self-defense because he was being attacked. However, the prosecution
contends that Zimmerman instigated the confrontation after profiling the
teen, who was walking home after buying skittles and ice tea. They
prosecution says Martin was breaking no laws and was not disturbing
anyone as he walked back to his father's girlfriend's home.
Zimmerman was granted a $150,000 bail and has since been in deep hiding since his April 20 bail hearing
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