On eve of Zimmerman trial in Trayvon Martin killing, new video becomes public

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SANFORD, Fla. — Experts dispute whose voice is heard in the background of a 911 call from the night Trayvon Martin was shot and killed.

A police detective, Chris Serino, wrote in an early report that he could hear a man yelling “Help” or “Help Me” 14 times. Prosecutors say the voice is Martin’s. Defense lawyers say it could be George Zimmerman, who they say was being pummeled by Martin.

Now, as Zimmerman prepares to go on trial on a charge of second-degree murder, a video has been released that the defense says could help authenticate the 911 call. But lawyers for Martin’s family say it doesn’t belong in court.

The video, which the defense says was extracted from Martin’s phone, shows two men fighting, apparently over a bicycle or an incident involving a bicycle. Zimmerman’s lawyers say Martin took the video, and that a voice on the recording is his. The person recording is not seen.

Under Florida evidence-sharing rules, prosecutors and the defense have had the clip for some time. The video was released by Zimmerman’s defense through a website where his lawyers have been posting press releases and possible evidence.

Members of Zimmerman’s defense team say they have a policy of making evidence in the case available to the public, and that the tape is the only known sample of Martin’s voice.

It’s unclear whether the video will be allowed into evidence. Asked whether it could be used in a way damaging to Martin’s image, Shawn Vincent, a spokesman for the defense, said: “The answer is we hope it doesn’t.”

George Zimmerman has sued NBCUniversal, the parent company of this site, for defamation. The company has strongly denied his allegations.

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