Officials have released hundreds of documents, audio files and photographs, relating to the murder of Trayvon Martin.

George Zimmerman shot and killed Martin on the 26<sup>th February this year. The photographs reveal the injuries that 28 year-old Zimmerman, a neighbourhood watch volunteer, suffered when confronting the teenager in Orlando, Florida. The images, showing cuts across Zimmerman's head and a bloody broken nose, support his claims that he was being attacked and that he acted out of fear for his life.

Despite such injuries, reports show that Zimmerman repeatedly declined to be taken to hospital, casting doubt that the shooting was in self-defence.

The documents reveal that 17 year-old Martin had traces of marijuana in his system when he was murdered. Photographs have also been released of the gun that shot Martin through the heart at close range.

Martin's death sent shockwaves across America, as his family claimed that the attack was racially motivated.

Zimmerman was initially not arrested as the police stated they could find no contradictions to his claim of self-defence. Following national outrage at the decision, a special prosecutor was assigned to the case and charged Zimmerman with second-degree murder.

Last month Zimmerman was released from prison after paying a $150,000 dollar bail. The date of his trial is yet to be determined.