Defense photo shows bloody, swollen George Zimmerman

Defense lawyers released a photo showing a swollen and bloody George Zimmerman the night he killed Trayvon Martin.

The photo, taken in the back of a Sanford, Fla police cruiser moments after Zimmerman fatally shot Martin, isn't new.

The Orlando Sentinel reports that a grainy photocopied version was released by the prosecution months ago but this is the first time that the full color, high resolution version has been available. 

“That's really one of my frustrations," Zimmerman's attorney Mark O'Mara told Fox News.

"They originally submitted a black and white photo so we asked for a color copy. They then submitted a color photo copy that was drab. We kept asking for a digital copy and then we had to file a motion [in court] to have it submitted."

The photo is meant to bolster his lawyers claims that Zimmerman, now 29, shot Martin in self defense based on Florida's "stand your ground" laws that allow the use of deadly force if you feel your life is threatened. 

Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch captain, confronted the 17-year-old as he returned home from a convenience store and the argument quickly escalated and Martin was shot and killed. 

He pleaded not guilty to a charge of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Martin. Zimmerman maintains that Martin attacked and beat him and he feared for his life.  

Benjamin Crump, an attorney for the Martin family, told NBC News the photo is not new evidence.

“George Zimmerman profiled and pursued Trayvon,” Crump said. “Trayvon had every right to stand his ground.”

According to the Washington Post, the bloody photograph does not solve the mystery of the case and the lack of Zimmerman's DNA on Martin's hands is still unresolved. 

Also, the Post reports, Zimmerman gave a written statement from jail and reenacted the events the next day where he said that he pulled Martin's arms away from his body after killing him. Yet, the police officer who arrived on the scene noted in his report, “The black male had his hands underneath his body.” 

Zimmerman's trial is tentatively set for June 10, 2013 and will last several weeks.