Prosecutors released a new batch of evidence in the case against George Zimmerman Thursday, including a photo of Trayvon Martin's body.
The sixth such release gives a closer look at Zimmerman's attempt to be a part of a Seminole County Sheriff's Office years before the shooting of the 17-year-old.
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- READ: George Zimmerman discovery documents (PDF)
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Per our Crime Guidelines, we will not show the photo of Martin's body.
Included in the documents is a copy of Zimmerman's application for the Citizen's Law Enforcement Academy in 2008.
In the application, Zimmerman explained a 2005 arrest for getting into a physical altercation with an undercover officer.
The officer was taking part in an underage drinking sting at the University of Central Florida.
Zimmerman claims the officer never identified himself.
He wrote:
"I hold law enforcement officers in the highest regard as I hope to one day become one. I would never have touched a police officer."
Despite the arrest, Zimmerman was accepted into the program.
The Seminole County Sheriff's Office wanted to emphasize that the program is simply a 14-week education course. It does not give him any rights as a law enforcement officer.
Last year, Zimmerman was enrolled at Seminole State College, where he was studying criminal justice.
The State Attorney's Office mistakenly released his grades Thursday, including the "D" he earned in an introduction to criminal justice class.
His college records have been turned over to Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, but that information is not being released to the public, according to the Seminole County Clerk of Courts.
'Stand Your Ground' hearing could potentially clear Zimmerman
Earlier Thursday morning, defense attorney Mark O'Mara announced on his website for the George Zimmerman legal case that there will be a hearing to determine if Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law replies to the shooting of Trayvon Martin.
This hearing could potentinally clear Zimmerman of all charges if a judge rules that he shot the 17-year-old out of reasonable fear for his life.
O'Mara described the hearing as essentially a "mini-trial," saying he would use the same arguments, witnesses, experts and evidence that he would use in a criminal trial.
The difference: There will be no jury. If the court rules in favor of the defendant in a "Stand Your Ground" hearing, not only would criminal charges be dismissed, but the defendant is also immune from civil actions related to the shooting.
“A lot of times attorneys will refer to it as a mini trial,” said Alisia Adamson, a criminal defense attorney. “The defense and the prosecutors bring all of their important witnesses that they would use at trial so it would be very similar.”
Zimmerman was charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Martin on Feb. 26. But he has repeatedly claimed that he shot the teen in self-defense.
O'Mara did not immediately announce a date for the hearing, but said it would take months to research and put together his case.
Statement from Zimmerman's defense
The following message was posted on the George Zimmerman legal case website:
"Since the beginning, there has been a rush to judgment in the case against George Zimmerman. Since the first day of his involvement, Mr. O'Mara has emphasized that people should be patient and wait for the evidence to be released before forming opinions about the case.
Now that the State has released the majority of their discovery, the defense asserts that there is clear support for a strong claim of self-defense. Consistent with this claim of self-defense, there will be a 'Stand Your Ground' hearing.
In the case against George Zimmerman, a 'Stand Your Ground' hearing will essentially be a mini-trial. Most of the arguments, witnesses, experts, and evidence that the defense would muster in a criminal trial will be presented in the 'Stand Your Ground' hearing.
There are significant differences between a 'Stand Your Ground' hearing and a trial. In a 'Stand Your Ground' hearing, there is no jury; the decision is made by the judge alone. In a criminal trial, the prosecution must prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, but in a 'Stand Your Ground' hearing, the burden is on the defense to prove that the evidence fits the conditions of the 'Stand Your Ground' law. If the Court rules in favor of the defendant in a 'Stand Your Ground' hearing, not only are criminal charges dismissed, the defendant is also immune from civil actions related to the shooting. The primary focus of a 'Stand Your Ground' hearing is whether George Zimmerman reasonably believed that his use of his weapon was necessary to prevent great bodily harm to himself at the hands of Trayvon Martin.
Preparing for the 'Stand Your Ground' hearing will require the same time and resources that would be necessary to prepare for a trial. It will take time to collect and submit reciprocal discovery, depose witnesses and experts, and identify evidence to be submitted during the hearing. We anticipate this will still take several months. Mr. O'Mara, again, urges everyone to be patient during this process and to reserve judgment until the evidence is presented in the 'Stand Your Ground' hearing.