George Zimmerman Stole Photographer's Image for Latest Painting, Attorney Says

On Thursday, we told you all about George Zimmerman's latest artistic creation, a painting of State Attorney Angela Corey. The grand masterpiece depicts Corey pinching her thumb and forefinger together, with a quote above her head that reads, "I have this much respect for the American judicial system." But now...

By Chris Joseph

January 24, 2014

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On Thursday, we told you all about George Zimmerman's latest artistic creation, a painting of State Attorney Angela Corey.

The grand masterpiece depicts Corey pinching her thumb and forefinger together, with a quote above her head that reads, "I have this much respect for the American judicial system."

But now the attorney for a photographer alleges that Zimmerman used the image of Corey from a photo taken by his client, without permission.

Very proud to introduce @TherealGeorgeZ 's latest..."Angie". Sale info & details available tomorrow. #ronaldthompson pic.twitter.com/yDkIl4QH0R
— Robert Zimmerman JR (@rzimmermanjr) January 22, 2014

John Phillips, the Jacksonville-based attorney for photographer Rick Wilson, says that Zimmerman's latest painting is a copyright violation, and that he will be receiving a cease-and-desist letter.

If George doesn't comply, Wilson will take legal action, thus threatening to deprive us all of the effervescent art that George Zimmerman has given unto the world.

Apparently, George is learning the hard way that you can't just take things from Google Images and turn them into art.

The image apparently comes from a photo of Corey during an April 11, 2012 press conference, when she announced that Zimmerman would be facing second-degree murder charges for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

The photo was taken by Wilson for the Associated Press.

Zimmerman took up painting recently and then put one of them up for sale last month. Zimmerman's multiple run-ins with the law reportedly have him hurting financially.

According to some reports, Zimmerman is about $2.5 million in the hole.

His first work, a painting of a blue American flag with the last lines of the Pledge of Allegiance -- "One nation under God, with liberty and justice for all" -- went up on eBay and quickly drew bids.

The bidding began at 99 cents and then quickly shot up to six figures as word spread throughout the internet. He eventually sold that painting for $100,099.99 on eBay.

Now Phillips is warning Zimmerman that if he sells this recent work, there's going to be trouble.

"If you've seen the two photos, it's identical," Philips told the Orlando Sentinel. "You just can't do that. You just can't take somebody else's work and make it your own."

Just like you can't just shoot and kill an un-armed teenager and walk Scott free! Oh... wait.

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