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The Associated Press wants George Zimmerman to stop the sale of his latest painting because the image is not his own, according to a Jan. 25 story from the AP.
Zimmerman’s painting depicts Jacksonville-based prosecutor Angela Corey holding her thumb and fingers together. An apparently made-up quote Zimmerman added to the piece reads, “I have this much respect for the American judicial system.” Corey’s office prosecuted Zimmerman for the 2012 shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman was acquitted of second-degree murder last summer.
Zimmerman’s brother, Robert Zimmerman Jr, posted the image on Twitter, Saba Hamedy reported in the Los Angeles Times on Jan. 25. Hamedy reports that the AP sent a letter to Zimmerman’s lawyers asking that the sale be stopped. The original image came from a 2012 photo by freelance photographer Rick Wilson, according to the AP.
On Friday, Zimmerman, who uses the Twitter handle “TherealGeorgeZ,” wrote on his account: “No worries AP, I’ll just take whatever U sue me for off your tab when I’m done suing you. Or … I could put out how much U offered me 2.”
AP spokesman Paul Colford said, “We don’t know what he’s talking about.”
DL Cade reported on the photo turned painting for PetaPixel on Saturday, noting that the whole thing feels a little familiar:
The entire situation seems very similar to the case between the AP and [artist] Shepard Fairey, which ultimately resulted in a $1.6 million dollar settlement, plus a $25,000 penalty because Fairey destroyed evidence in the case. Perhaps the AP is hoping to head off a costly legal battle… or win a similar verdict if they can’t.
Previously: Shepard Fairey gets probation for actions in AP photo case
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