According to his version of the events, he spotted Trayvon while making the rounds on his regular neighborhood patrol and thought the teen seemed suspicious. Though the 911 dispatcher discouraged Zimmerman to follow, he did anyway. The next minute is a gap in the police records. Zimmerman fills it in:
He says that he lost sight of the teen, but when returning to his SUV, Trayvon confronted him from behind. He asked if Zimmerman had a problem, and when he didn’t get a reply, he said “well you do know,” and punched Zimmerman in the nose. When Zimmeran fell, Trayvon slammed his head into the sidewalk, while Zimmerman yelled for help.
After this, Zimmerman shot Martin and killed him. The police report confirms that Zimmerman had a bloody nose, swollen lip, and lacerations on the back of his head. There is still a dispute over whose voice is calling for help on the 911 recording of the events.
Some are concerned that the popularity of this case might upset justice being done, as different groups use the story to make their cases about race relations. Martin’s mother has filed for trademark of the phrases “Justice for Trayvon,” and “I Am Trayvon,” which might be used for DVDs and CDs, and which her attorney said was to “assist other families who experience similar tragedies.” She is also accusing police of leaking information that Martin had been suspended from school for marijuana use at the time of his death on February 26.
“They killed my son and now they’re trying to kill his reputation” Sybrina Fulton, his mother said.
A grand jury is set to convene on the case April 10.