'Stand Your Ground' Trial in Florida Ends With Manslaughter Verdict

SummerMadness

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'Stand Your Ground' Trial in Florida Ends With Manslaughter Verdict
In a test of the self-defense law known as "Stand Your Ground," a Florida jury on Friday night found Michael Drejka guilty of manslaughter for killing Markeis McGlockton after an argument over a parking spot escalated outside a convenience store in Clearwater, Fla., last summer.

After fatally shooting Mr. McGlockton, who was black and unarmed, officials did not arrest Mr. Drejka, who is white, for three weeks because of the state’s self-defense laws, according to the local sheriff.

They need to scrap or change these dumb laws, when someone starts a confrontation and then kills someone with a gun, they need to be held accountable.
 

RDKirk

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'Stand Your Ground' Trial in Florida Ends With Manslaughter Verdict


They need to scrap or change these dumb laws, when someone starts a confrontation and then kills someone with a gun, they need to be held accountable.

The factor is "starts a confrontation."

The defense attempted to separate "starts a confrontation" away from the moment the confrontation turned into a serious life/death issue. That strategy has worked successfully before in Florida.

When the defendant was knocked to the ground, it really became a life/death issue for him. Had he not started the incident in the first place, this would not have even gone to trial.

I was taught long ago, "When you're carrying a gun, any argument can turn into a gunfight." That ought to seriously reduce the number of arguments a someone carrying a gun should get himself involved with.

This guy was clearly seeking confrontations, and he finally found one that led to a gunfight.
 
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mark kennedy

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I certainly don't see the justification for shooting a man dead, over a parking spot, and the other guy is unarmed. Sounds like manslaughter is getting off easy.

I've never liked gun control but guns make lethal violence too easy.
 
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