SANFORD, Fla., July 12 (UPI) -- More evidence in the second-degree murder case against Floridian George Zimmerman was released Thursday, including documents in a federal civil rights probe.
The second batch of evidence released included interviews of Sanford police officers conducted by Special Prosecutor Angela Corey' investigators, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
One of the interviews was with Sanford police officer Tim Smith, the first officer on the scene after Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, shot unarmed black teen Trayvon Martin and cited self-defense under Florida's "stand your ground" laws.
Smith told an investigator Zimmerman was bleeding from the nose at police headquarters, even after he was treated by paramedics.
Related
Zimmerman had his concealed weapons permit in his wallet, the documents indicated.
Investigators also interviewed another officer who saw Zimmerman enter the Sanford police station after the shooting, who said he didn't notice "any injury to Zimmerman's nose," but observed the Hispanic-American "was 'grunting' as if in pain."
Also interviewed was Martin's cousin, who was with the 17-year-old on the day of the shooting. The cousin said he "did not see Trayvon smoke marijuana."
The documents indicated the cousin said "without a doubt 'on a stack of Bibles'" a voice heard crying for help in the background of a 911 call was Martin's, the Sentinel said.
Among the material released Thursday were reports of 10 FBI agents who interviewed Sanford police officers, Zimmerman's former girlfriend and a neighbor, several unidentified civilian witnesses and employees at the gun store where Zimmerman bought the firearm used in the shooting, the Sentinel said.
The Justice Department began its investigation after protesters rallied around the country and national civil rights leaders alleged Sanford police conducted a poor, racially-biased investigation and refused to arrest Zimmerman.
Zimmerman, who is free on $1 million bond, said he shot Martin Feb. 26 in self-defense after a confrontation on a sidewalk in Zimmerman's neighborhood. He was arrested and charged with second-degree murder April 11.
