Autopsy: Trayvon Martin Had Knuckle Injuries

Autopsy results show that Trayvon Martin, the 17-year-old whose shooting death in Florida has turned into a national controversy, had injuries to his knuckles when he died, Orlando TV station WFTV reports.

That evidence could back up George Zimmerman's claim that Martin beat him up before Zimmerman shot and killed him. Zimmerman said that Martin broke his nose and slammed his head on the sidewalk before Zimmerman opened fire.

The autopsy found that Martin had broken skin on his knuckles. Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O’Mara declined to comment on that evidence.

But WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said it helps the defense, as Martin’s knuckle injury appears much less serious than Zimmerman's bloody head wounds. “It goes along with Zimmerman's story that he acted in self-defense, because he was getting beaten up by Trayvon Martin,” Sheaffer said.

But another explanation is possible for Martin's knuckle injury too. “It could be consistent with Trayvon either trying to get away or defend himself,” Sheaffer said.

Zimmerman killed the unarmed Martin Feb. 26 after calling 911 to report that he was acting suspiciously. Zimmerman said Martin hit him first and that he shot in self-defense after no one acted on his cries for help.