Sanford Police release Zimmerman timeline
Monday, May 21, 2012 at 1:12PM The Orlando Sentinel published a precise timeline of events leading up to Trayvon Martin’s death. Released with the document dump last week, it shows what George Zimmerman doing just prior to the shooting. In less than two minutes from the time Zimmerman ended his call with the dispatcher, Trayvon was shot dead.
1911:12 - Call received from George Zimmerman reporting suspicious person
1913:19 - Zimmerman relays that suspicious person is running from him
1913:36 - Dispatcher asks Zimmerman if he is following suspicious person
1913:36 - Dispatcher advises Zimmerman “Okay; we don’t need you to do that”
1915:23 - Approximate time call with Zimmerman ends
1916:43 - 911 call placed by (blacked out name) where Zimmerman is heard screaming for help
1917:20 - Shot fired; screams from Zimmerman cease
1917:40 - Officer T. Smith arrives on scene
1919:43 - Officer T. Smith locates and places Zimmerman in custody.
Source: Orlando Sentinel, Rene Stutzman
Dave Knechel | in Dave Knechel, David B. Knechel, David Knechel, Florida’s Government in the Sunshine, George Zimmerman, Marinade Dave, Marinade Dave Knechel, Sanford Police Department, Seminole County, State Attorney Angela Corey, State Attorney's Office, Trayvon Martin, marinadedave | Share Article 
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Reader Comments (144)
Wow- the police are saying that the screams came from Zimmerman?
[Only according to several witnesses' testimony. The police never saw the incident take place, so they are merely basing it on that.]
I am not buying those screams as Z's. Why would he quit screaming once he shot Trayvon? Why is he not screaming call 911? Help or something? Why did he not try to help Trayvon? It makes me angry that they continue to say Zimmerman was screaming! If Trayvon could speak I bet he would say that he was hollering for help... jmo
I also find it strange as soon as a neighbor hollers he is calling the police he shoots him. In 2 of the witness reports 1 said he hollered he was calling 911, the woman witness heard that and closed her patio door before either one of them made it upstairs they heard the shot. The police had her retrace her steps it took about 60 seconds. This all took place in a little over 2 minutes. Really does not seem long for a fight for your life.
Also the 13 year old witness said he heard moans like someone broke their leg, when he looked he only saw 1 person. Could Z have fallen and hit head and then went after T? The timeline just makes no sense.
[You do make an interesting point about the sequence of events, Laurali. I have also wondered why such a heroic character, as Frank Taaffe was quick to point out, didn't aim somewhere else instead. I mean, a shot in the leg would have stopped Trayvon in his tracks, right? }}}WINK WINK{{{ ]
Hi Dave. I hope you're doing well.
I just want to add a comment. I haven't seen this discussed anywhere and I'm hoping you or one of your readers can comment on it.
One thing I find really odd is that Travon had a small scrape on this finger. I would think that if Travon hit Zimmerman with enough force to break Zimm's nose and then punch Zimm repeatedly that Travon would have suffered additional and more severe injuries to his hand.
Anyone care to straighten me out on this one?
Thanks
[Hello, Carmen! Very nice to see you. I would think the same thing, unless Trayvon was just slapping him silly, but I don't believe one word of what Zimmerman said. He neither looked nor acted like someone who was pounded within one inch of his life. He exaggerated, and I'll bet when we get to see and hear his stories, they are going to differ with each investigator he spoke to. That could be why he was charged with 2nd-degree murder. His stories varied and didn't add up. Of course, that's my opinion.]
My personal theory is that Trayvon was fighting for his life and some of Zimmerman's injuries can be attributed to that. Others....Maybe he did it to himself for SHOW and TELL.
On the topic of injuries, I went to youtube to see what MMA style fighting is. I could not tolerate more than a few seconds of watching it. If witness John claims that Trayvon was doing this to Zimmerman, wouldn't both of them have had more in the way of marks? Georges' injuries look more like scratches than anything else.
Zimmerman's story is that Trayvon beat him for about a minute. Wouldn't Zimmerman have been able to fight back enough to make some marks on Trayvon, other than a tiny abrasion on one finger? I doubt that Trayvon was all that coordinated. In the 7/11 video, he looked gawky, like a typical teenager who has recently shot up in height. I have some experience with boys that age and they tend to be clumsy for a while. Is it reasonable to assume that Trayvon, with no history of fighting or violence, suddenly became a fighting machine?
Final, final episode of "House" is on and I'm watching it...
Dave ~ I left this question over at Snoopy's playpen but I will ask you also. When Trayvon left 7-11 clerk gave Trayvon bag for tea. Is it possible he swung the bag at Z? LE either took tea out of his pocket or it came out during cpr, any thoughts?
All I needed to know was that he was pursuing Trayvon. The kid was scared because some psycho guy was following him! Zimmerman belongs in jail period.
A commentor at Reality Chatter posted this link:
GEORGE ZIMMERMAN AND TRAYVON MARTIN: WHAT WE DON’T KNOW
Here is the part that was pointed out:
The death weapon was a Kel-Tec PF9 semiautomatic 9mm pistol. It has been reported that the gun was recovered with a full magazine and that only the chambered round had been fired. This is a condition we associate with something preventing the gun from cycling a fresh round from the magazine into the chamber after the shot was discharged. One thing that can cause that is another man’s hand wrapped around the pistol, retarding its slide mechanism. This would indicate, as could certain gunshot residue patterns or cuts in certain places if found on Trayvon Martin’s hand(s), that a struggle for a gun was taking place when the fatal shot was fired. This would clearly change the shape of the case. But – WE DON’T KNOW YET.
When I read this I thought of Trayvon's finger wound. Was there really a struggle for the gun though? Could that be a graze wound from the bullet?
I don't know why it is being said that Zimmerman should have stayed in his vehicle like he was told. No, he was not told that! It wasn't until after he was following Trayvon that he was told to stop following him. We don't know if he stopped following and was heading back to the SUV or what he was doing when he met up with Trayvon.
Oh, and I think that the screams are being attributed to GZ because he said he was the one screaming for help and it was in the police report. OS can't say it was Trayvon screaming because they have no proof to override GZ's statement to the police.
Good to see ya, Whistlersmother! :-D
I don't know how GZ managed to get a gun owner's permit with assault and DV on his record. I know he wasn't charged but still, it shows the man has issues! Plus, he was on drugs for his mental health problems.
~~~~~~~~~
I understand that the fact that GZ had his gun on him is enough to show intent on shooting someone. Is this what is call depraved mind?
Dave~~for all that to happen in two minutes, my guess would be that Zimmerman was returning to his truck and Trayvon snuck up and jumped him from behind, knocking him to the ground and then beat the hoohoo out of him. I believe that Z was the one screaming.
I also do not believe the girlfriend's account of what happened. I think she was coached by Crump.
The Events Leading to the Shooting of Trayvon Martin
~another link that has some interesting info on it but I forgot which blog i snagged it from.
What Zimmerman told police
In an account given to the Sanford police, George Zimmerman said that he lost sight of Trayvon and was returning to his S.U.V. when the teen approached him from behind and asked him if he had a problem. Mr. Zimmerman said the two exchanged words before Trayvon punched him to the ground, then repeatedly slammed his head into the sidewalk in the moments leading up the shooting. When police arrived on the scene, he told officers that he had cried out for help but no one had come to help.
There is a map, too, that shows GZ's house.
Dave~~ too bad we didn't have the exact time the call between girlfriend and Trayvon disconnected.
Sherry the link you posted is from March. In the reports released there was male dna on the slide but it could not be determined if it was Trayvon's or Z's. If I read it correctly and remember correctly Trayvon's dna was not found on the gun. I think.
Sherry~~I think Zimmerman was telling the truth about returning to his truck..
Laurali, someone at RC said there was TM's DNA on the gun. I forgot to include that-that was why she posted that old link. Sorry 'bout that~ :-P
I left the pages for the dna at Snoop's regarding the gun and holster and if I read them correctly Trayvon's dna was not found. AGAIN I am no dna expert but I think I read it correctly.
Sherry~~did that person who said Trayvon's DNA was on the gun post a link to verify where she read that in the docs?
Snoopy I left this comment at your play ground but now you are here:
Snoopy at first that is what I thought may have happened but after listening to the 911 call and the dispatcher asking Z where the police should meet him, instead of giving him a location he asked they call him. Why? If he were sitting in his truck by the mail boxes why would the police need to call to get his location? JMO
Laura~~Z was running after T to see where he went. When the dispatcher told him he didnt want him to go after T, Z turned around and headed for his truck....he didn't know that he was going to be attacked and planned to get in his truck and probably drive to see if he could spot T...etc etc I don't think Z was in his truck when dispatch asked him his location, was he?
Reposonding paramedic recalls scene & Zimmerman's injuries
I would assume so because that was the very end of the call and you could no longer hear the wind noise. I believe a minute to a minute and half had past since 911 told him we do not need you to do that.
Laura~~did the guy at 7 Eleven give Trayvon a plastic bag or was it a brown paper one?
Zimmerman:
If they come in through the gate, tell them to go straight past the clubhouse, and uh, straight past the clubhouse and make a left. And then they go past the mailboxes. They'll see my truck.
Dispatcher:
OK, what address are you parked in front of?
Zimmerman:
Um, I don't know. It's a cut-through, so I don't know the answer.
Dispatcher:
OK, do you live in the area?
Zimmerman:
Yeah, yeah.
Dispatcher:
What's your apartment number?
Zimmerman:
It's a home, it's 1950, ah c--- I don't want to give it out loud, I don't know where this kid is.
Dispatcher:
Ah OK, do you want to meet with him right near the mailboxes then?
Zimmerman:
Yeah, that's fine.
Dispatcher:
Alright, George I'll let him know to meet with you out there.
Zimmerman:
Actually could you have him call me and I'll tell him where I'm at?
Dispatcher:
OK, yeah that's no problem.
Zimmerman:
Do you need my number or you got it?
Dispatcher:
Yeah, I got it, it's 407-435-2400?
Zimmerman:
Yeah, you got it.
Dispatcher:
OK, no problem, I'll let them know to call you when they're in the area.
Zimmerman:
Thanks.
Dispatcher:
You're welcome.
Plastic bag.
Okay, its sooo confusing over there with those quotes within quotes! No, no evidence of TM's DNA on the gun. I misread, when someone asked that the answer came back Yes to your DNA question-I paraphrase.
BTW, Laura, when they administered CPR, the paras removed a tin of iced tea from Trayvons jacket pocket.
I swear when I watched the video at 7/11 he handed Trayvon a bag, he stuck it in the bag. I only remembered because in those photos (Vicky left) there was 1 brown plastic bag.
Sherry~~I noticed a lot of misinformation over yonder.. lots of opinions and speculating. Sometimes people read there and take all of it as gospel...
Laura~~yes, the guy at 7 Eleven put the skittles and iced tea in a bag. Didn't one of the neighbors bring a plastic bag to help seal off the wound on Trayvon?
Sherry no problem. I usually just hang in between Dave and Snoopy's place. I could have been wrong- I remember looking for it because I thought Z had said he reached for it. Or maybe Z's brother said he reached for the gun. I am getting so confused now. I think I am going to call it a day but please stay and keep chatting. It will give me something to do in the morning while I get my nutrients. :)
Snoopy there was a Walmart bag in one of those photos also so it is possible. IMO the scuff on the top of his nose looked more like something from a can or object but not a fist. I am only going off what it looks like to me, I am no can wielding expert either. I just have lots of opinions.
Snoopy in the link Vicky left this evening with a photo if you scan through them a brown bag is marked with a #2 on the sidewalk. Could this be the bag Trayvon left with?
Laura~~there are two plastic bags in the evidence pics that I posted... #61-a white bag with blue markings on it and #63- a brownish bag that looks pretty weather beaten.
Karen - I could not post this on the previous topic Mcwhites and Blackfields. So posting it here. You maybe onto something.... Watch this video of Zimmerman when he arrives at the Police Precinct Though there seems to be some blood mark at the top of the head and to the right, there seems to be nothing flowing down the left side of the picture. At that time ABC called it 'Gashes and Welts. And see this picture of him taken
indoor somewhere that night ( possibly the Police Precinct again ).
So an iphone snap was taken at 7.19 PM, the EMT folks cleaned up his wounds in the police car at the scene of the murder. Then he is brought into the precinct looking fairly clean and now we have an indoor picture with rivulets of blood.
The white one is a Walmart bag. The brown one does look kind of beat up, that is why I thought he might have swung that trying to defend himself. With a can of tea it might have ripped, can went flying and maybe Trayvon picked it up and tried to run. I don't know just speculating otherwise where did the bag go? I guess he could have thrown it away but why take it if you do not want it?
skalathil- Thanks for noticing! I haven't had time to look (and hunt down) those earlier pics, but we have been told by "everyone" that he was cleaned up "at the scene", and certainly the first pics show him outside or so it appears. So, did he start bleeding all over again in the cop car? OR, do we have errors in the police reports?
One or the other of those bags may have nada to do with this... they would have to take pics regardless, if anywhere near the scene. Remember all the cr@p they took pictures of at the "dump" site in Casey?
Laurali, I remember seeing the 7-11 clerk get a bag, put the tea and skittles into it, and hand it to Trayvon. How the tea ended up out of the bag, in the hoodie pocket is a good question. Maybe Trayvon did swing it as a weapon, and it broke through the bag? It's hard to imagine him bothering to put the tea in his pocket or pick up the bag if he was trying to escape from the older man who was following him.
Snoopy, why do you think Trayvon started the fight with Zimmerman? I see him as a kid with no history of violence, who was afraid of the stranger. If he'd been a kid who liked fighting, he would have had plenty of opportunities to get into fights as he was growing up, and he never did. Why would he suddenly pick a fight with a stranger?
GZ is the one with some history of violence, here, regardless of however the earlier issues were resolved. I think it far more likely GZ started things up between the two, with Trayvon defending himself. TM was almost home; I just don't see any evidence, other than GZ's say-so, that TM "circled back"- he may have hung back (peeping around a corner) to see if he was still being followed.
I see a lot of scenario's playing out and one in particular is referenced a couple times which putting myself in the shoes of Zimmerman the events could not have unfolded like he said.
If I am not mistaken there is under 90 seconds between the screams and the LE Operator connection being terminated.
Experts reviewing the tapes of the 911 call both come to the same consensus. Mr. Martin was the one screaming not Zimmerman.
If you are to believe that Zimmerman was attacked from behind he would have more facial wounds then the alleged broken nose?
In less then 90 seconds are you saying that Mr. Martin attacked Zimmerman commenced a "whoppin" on his ass only to pull a gun and shot???? Logic must come into play at some point as I could'nt write this in 90 seconds so an ass whoppin and a shooting is feasible?
Still, Zimmerman persued an "unknown" person who, at this time, has done nothing to provocate an altercation. Zimmerman followed in a vehicle. Zimmerman stopped and exited his vehicle. Zimmerman brought with him a gun not knowing if the "perp" was carrying a weapon. 911 Operators advised Zimmerman not to persue. Zimmerman disregarded an order and initiated an altercation.
Regardless of Martin commencing an ass whoppin and slamming his can of "iced tea whop ass" does not negate the threatening advancement of Zimmerman. If Mr....i wanna play cops and robbers [insert baby whining voice] was so worried of the "what ifs" or possibility of another robbery then he should've kept his happy ass in the vehicle. But he didn't. He put on his little girl panties and decided he would be the law. And that in the eyes of society he would be the hero.
It could be argued that the death of Mr. Martin gives way to a martyr of sorts. Trayvon was doing what freedom allows him to do. Trayvon was at the early stages of a relationship. Trayvon was begining to take on responsibilities. He was persuing his happiness only it was short lived by someone who simply profiled him and condemed him before he even exited his vehicle.
In my opinion the gun in hand, or holster, the exiting of his vehicle more or less shows intent...someone was going to be shot regardless...
DAVE-
Before I forget:
Chuck Norris does not wear a watch because he decides "what time IT IS"--ha-ha :-)
I agree with your analysis, BMan, especially the last paragraph, with one exception. I don't think we can rely on the experts who said that the screams were coming from Trayvon. The FBI analysts were not able to determine whose voice that was. I believe that it was Trayvon, because it does not make sense that Zimmerman would be screaming for his life, and that his screams would stop at the moment the gun was fired.
Zimmerman seems to have been a cool customer. According to a witness, immediately after the shooting, he stated that he had shot Trayvon and it was self-defense. In his place, having just killed someone, no matter what the circumstances, I would not be capable of coherent thinking.
I will also add to BMan's comment T did ask (while on the phone with his girlfriend) Why are you following me? Sounds more like he turned around to find Z behind him again.
It is really hard to figure out what happened or how the fight started since someone pulled the trigger and made sure his story would be the only one told. Trayvon has been ran thru the mud and the only thing we know for sure because of the released evidence he did not have a police record. The only known contact his father initiated because of the baggie found at the school. I doubt he is the first father to call the police and ask them to give their child the riot act to keep him or get him back on the right path. jmo
I agree with everything you said, Laurali. It would not have made sense for Trayvon to ask, "Why ARE you following me" if, at that point, he was following Zimmerman.
About the marijuana residue in Trayvon's backpack, I've thought a lot about that. I can tell you that, around here, many parents would have been at the school with a posse of lawyers, fighting the suspension. They would threaten to sue the school for illlegal search, do anything to avoid the suspension and a blight on the kid's record that would damage his college chances. I don't agree with this attitude, I believe that it is better for kids to face the (reasonable) consequences of their behavior, and it sounds like Trayvon's parents felt the same way. I did not hear that they had a police officer talk to Trayvon, but it makes sense to me. Clearly, they did not allow him to hang around at home during the suspension, sending him to Sanford to spend time with his father, which I am sure included some heart-to-heart discussions, and, perhaps, get him away from friends who were a bad influence. From all appearances, his parents were working together to raise their son despite the divorce.
...as to the finding of "marijuana" residue in his backpack prior to this shooting, IMO, is irrelevant. By giving creadence to this simply allows others to profile the victime and thus not allowing justice to be served.
Dave's last post discussed "baiting" and that is what is being done. The swaying of the jury pool/school of those who have yet to make a decision. If you think about it, why else bring up a past indiscretion? News Week, a while back, posted about Trayvon's 'handle" on Facebook and his "gangsta" ways or whatever but what did it serve? Simply baiting trying to spoil your thoughts before you decide. One has nothing to do with the other....well at least IMO.
Growing-up truely is a difficult task. As parents we have a limited time to ensure our children know right from wrong. Its not before too long that you have to allow them to make their own decisions and suffer the rewars or consequenes of those decisions. Children are easily influenced by their peers and not so much their parents. The grass is always greener on the otherside. As parents we have to warn them that sometimes that grass is an illusion of sorts and under that grass it is the same. By Trayvon going to Sanford to stay with his father while completing his suspension shows to me that mom wanted him away from the influence. Any by Trayvon not trying to get away from the intent shows to me he, Trayvon, may have realized that? Who knows. In the end Trayvon is dead. In the end there are questions not yet answered and truths yet to be formulated as the "bait and switch" will continue till trial.. Almost seems contrived, like i've heard this outline of a dog and pony show before...? sure perhaps I am stubborn and view the world through "rose colored glasses" but isnt that giving life the "benefit of the doubt"?
BMan I agree, my point is Trayvon did not have a record. Not a bad kid. Not perfect but who is? Zimmerman has a history of violence and no consequences therefore imo he has never learned. It seems the way Trayvon's parents were raising him he did have consequences. Other than that meant nothing by it. Totally agree the marijuana has no place being brought up to justify his death.
Agreed Laurali-baiting is a great tactic if you wanna sway public opinion but, IMO, be careful what you wish for. As you pointed out, Zimmerman does not have a squeeky clean image so the best tactic is to simply focus on the incident.
If the media is trying to hang their hat on smoking dope as a precursor or motivator to provocate aggression well then you may solicit a sympathy vote because there is no recorded occurrences of violent attacks with those who smoke dope so this could backfire? 22 years ago when i was going though my "rebel phase" all i could do was laugh uncontrollably for hours and the munchies pretty much guided me to my next move....irrelevant i know but there are two types of smokers, those who laugh and those who mellow out...none are confrontational....and none of this is relevant---ha-ha-ha
Molly~~ why do I think that Trayvon may have attacked Zimmerman? Because it is a possibility.
I do not come in and write what I think everyone would like to hear. My comments are based on weighing the evidence as I see it. In other words, I set my emotions to the side and refuse to wear blinders. This is why we have both a prosecution and defense in a court of law.
When you watch this all being played out in a court of law, you will see a whole different scenario. If it goes to trial the jury will have the burden put onto them to weigh the evidence put on by both sides. Just like in our discussions about the Anthony case, oodles of info will never be admissable.
Zimmerman had a history of violence but was he convicted of any of those charges and how long ago did this happen? If we believe that he is still violent, then we do not accept the fact that anyone can be rehabilitated through counselling and/or anger management programs. If that is the case, why bother to have those programs available in the first place if they are waste of time.
Trayvon did not have violent tendiencies? How do we know that as a fact? From his parents and relatives after he was deceased? If anything is brought out about his past, we are trying to ruin his reputation?
Two individuals were involved in an altercation that resulted in the death of one of them. Since we do not know for sure who the aggressor was when it came to the altercation, we will dig up as much dirt as possible on the one left standing but not the one who is deceased.
Trayvon Martin was suspended from school on more than one occasion. There was a tweet made to T from his cousin asking him , "did you really punch the bus driver?"...not verbatim. Is it legal to smoke 'weed' at age 17? There is a video out showing a young black youth cheering on a fight. T's brother said it is not him in the video. What about the stash of women's jewellery and a screw driver found in T's locker? Not his, Okay and all of the above are just lies to ruin his reputation. BTW, a school locker is the property of the school , not the student, and no search warrant is necessary for the PD to get school administration to open it for inspection.
Marijuana does not act on everyone the same way. It depends on that person's metabolism as does other drugs/medications. You may be able to take an aspirin, if I take one, I can go into shock and be dead in twenty minutes. Zimmerman was on two different Rx drugs and because he did not give a blood sample, that we know of, we do not know if those drugs or their side effects were present in his system. By suggesting that the drugs Z was taking and that made him paranoid or whatever is pure speculation.
By bringing up the Marijuana residue found in T's backpack along with a pipe is irrevelant and any past indiscretions is profiling the victim yet it is okay to bring up Z's past and profile him who possibly was a victim of an altercation and had no choice to fire his gun to save his life.
What are we doing in here except trying this case and tainting a jury pool? Do I see double standards?
I am going to continue to look at both sides of the coin. If the time comes that I feel like I am wasting your time and mine, I will cease voicing my observations since you nor I know what really took place on the evening of Feb 26th.
One other thing, it may suprise you to learn that the prosecution has come to a conclusion that it was Zimmerman who was screaming for help.
I believe the police think it is Z screaming on the tape also. But because he said so. Both families have now claimed it is their son. Before police cleaned up the original 911 call T's father denied it being T. However a couple of the witnesses said it was a boy. The police told witnesses that night that it was George. So imo the screaming is a wash.
I personally like the different opinions it gets me thinking and looking through what documents we have to compare. It is safe to assume neither of these guys were perfect but did one really need to die? Z knew police were on the way, a neighbor hollered and said he was calling police also... Why did he shoot him less than 1 minute later.