George Zimmerman was estranged from his parents after years of physical abuse by his mother, one of his friends told Florida investigators who were looking into the killing of Trayvon Martin.
The friend, whose name was not released but who was identified as a former Seminole County sheriff’s deputy, said he knew Zimmerman for years before the shooting and had presided over Zimmerman’s wedding. His statement was included in a huge raft of evidence made public by prosecutors on Thursday morning.
Zimmerman’s parents have since come to their son’s defense and told authorities it was Zimmerman voice, not Martin’s, that could be heard crying for help on a 911 recording. His parents could not be located Thursday for comment.
