George Zimmerman Weight: Gains 120 Pounds as Defense Tactic? (VIDEO)
George Zimmerman has gained over 120 pounds since his arrest last March for the murder of Trayvon Martin, causing some to speculate that changing his image is part of a possible defense strategy.
At the time of his arrest, George Zimmerman weighed about 195 pounds according to police records. His height about 5'8, his weight was average for a man of his size. But in recent trial footage, it is apparent that Zimmerman has put on a considerable amount of pounds. During interviews, his lawyers have claimed that the additional weight gain is due to "stress."
"He's gained an enormous amount of weight. Over 120, 125 pounds I believe. I think because he is sitting in a house stressed trying to deal with the moniker that's been put on him that he's the most hated man in America for taking the life of somebody when he really feels that he didn't need to," Mark O'Mara said during a CNN interview.
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Body language experts have suggested another theory however, while discussing speculation that Zimmerman's weight gain could be part of a defense strategy.
"He's very comfortable," Patty Wood, a body language expert, said during an interview with CNN, pointing to an early picture of Zimmerman wearing handcuffs in court. "He's very proud. He feels very powerful and strong, even in shackles. That's very interesting."
Even after gaining weight, Zimmerman still appears "comfortable" in court according to Wood, which could suggest something about his disposition.
"He's agitated. He's very upset," Wood said, pointing to a more recent photo of Zimmerman. "But what's remarkable to me is that he's actually comfortable with this new, excessive weight. That actually tells me something else: that he's comfortable and not feeling guilty."
Addressing speculations that Zimmerman may have gained weight as a defese tactic, Wood said that being heavier "may work for him in an odd way."
"Before he looked like a lean, mean, fighting machine and very young and fit, so we think 'Why did he need to pull out a gun?'" she said.
