In what could either be a monumental screw up or what some are calling an intricate ploy for a mistrial, a photo of Trayvon Martin’s dead body has been released to the public. Florida prosecutors accidentally distributed a postmortem photo of the 17-year-old teen as well as copies of George Zimmerman’s college records early Friday to news outlets in an email.

Both the photo and the documents were said to be confidential and exempt from disclosure under Florida law. After the mistake was made, a follow-up e-mail was sent that read; “please disregard and do not use the information contained in the initial e-mail. It was inadvertently attached.” The state attorney’s office later sent reporters another e-mail, one that did not contain the photo or Zimmerman’s school records but other court documents.

Unfortunately, the damage was done and several outlets saved copies of the teen’s photo. The photo is actually a grainy photocopied picture of Martin lying face down in the grass. It is one of three taken by an unnamed witness. We will not be publishing the photo out of respect for the Martin family.

Just yesterday Zimmerman’s attorney announced that he would be seeking a Stand Your Ground hearing to attempt to have his client’s case dismissed. If attorney Mark O’Mara can prove that Zimmerman was afraid  for his life and that Trayvon was on the verge of killing or severely injuring him, his second-degree murder charge will be thrown out. Let us pray that does not happen. –danielle canada