Michael Drejka charged in Florida 'stand your ground' killing. But why wasn't it murder?

"I went through it all and made the legal decision that that is the charge that we could prove," said Pinellas County State Attorney Bernie McCabe.</s>A white man who shot and killed an unarmed Black man in Florida is now charged with manslaughter after attempting to fight the case via the state’s “Stand Your Ground” laws. Michael Drejka, who shot Markeis McGlockton in a parking lot, was booked today on the charges and his bond is set at $100,000.

Florida prosecutors on Monday filed manslaughter charges against the man who gunned down a father following an argument over a parking space — a killing that led to renewed scrutiny over the state’s “stand your ground” law.

Michael Drejka, 47, was being booked into the Pinellas County Jail with a bond issued at $100,000, said Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, who was initially criticized for deciding not to bring charges in the case.

Drejka had remained out of the public eye while the sheriff forwarded the investigation to the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney’s Office for a final review.

The fatal July 19 shooting of Markeis McGlockton, a 28-year-old black man, at a Circle A convenience store in Clearwater was captured on surveillance video and led to protests over why Drejka, who is white, could kill the father of three and claim self-defense.

Attorney Benjamin Crump is representing the McGlockton family, writing in a statement that their side feels that “truth and justice will prevail in the end.”

White Man Who Killed Unarmed Black Man Markeis McGlockton Charged With Manslaughter was originally published on hiphopwired.com

Also On 97.9 The Beat:</s>Florida prosecutors charged a man involved in a parking lot shooting last month with manslaughter. Police initially said they could not arrest Michael Drejka because of the state's Stand Your Ground law.</s>Florida prosecutors charged a man involved in a parking lot shooting last month with manslaughter. Police initially said they could not arrest Michael Drejka because of the state's Stand Your Ground law.

Florida's self-defense law known as "stand your ground" is again in the national spotlight. Prosecutors there today charged a man with manslaughter for his role in a fatal parking lot shooting. That contrasts with the county sheriff's conclusion last month. He declined to arrest Michael Drejka, citing "stand your ground." But now, more than three weeks later, Drejka has been arrested and his bond set at a hundred thousand dollars. NPR's Greg Allen reports.

GREG ALLEN, BYLINE: It happened at the Circle A food store near Clearwater. Britany Jacobs parked her vehicle in a handicapped spot while her boyfriend, 28-year-old Markeis McGlockton, went inside with her 5-year-old son. Michael Drejka, who's 47, approached Jacobs and got into a heated argument with her for parking in the space without a permit. Hearing about the altercation, McGlockton came out of the store and pushed Drejka to the ground. Seconds later, Drejka pulled out a handgun and shot McGlockton, killing him. After interviewing Drejka, sheriff's deputies decided that under Florida's "stand your ground" law Drejka was justified in using deadly force.

BOB GUALTIERI: He believed that McGlockton was going to come back at him.

ALLEN: That's Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, who held a news conference the following day to explain the decision.

GUALTIERI: And he fired in a very short amount of time, a few seconds - four seconds, probably, somewhere in that range. That is within the bookends of "stand your ground."

ALLEN: Under Florida's "stand your ground" law, people can use deadly force to defend themselves when they feel their lives are in danger. What's more, they're immune from arrest or prosecution unless police can prove they weren't acting in self-defense. But today the prosecutor for Pinellas County, state attorney Bernie McCabe, charged Drejka with manslaughter. McCabe says he received the case a week and a half ago.

BERNIE MCCABE: I instructed that we go ahead and interview all of the witnesses, review all of the reports, review the various videos of the scene, the actions and the interview of the defendant. And when all that was done, I made the legal decision that this is the charge that we can prove.

ALLEN: McCabe declined to discuss the details of the case, saving that for the trial. Markeis McGlockton's family held a news conference today where they said they welcomed the decision. One of their lawyers, Michele Rayner, called it the first step on a long road.

MICHELE RAYNER: Our ultimate goal is a conviction in this case. We do stand behind the state attorney's decision to charge as manslaughter. We do believe it's the correct charge in order to sustain a conviction.

ALLEN: The case has drawn the attention of civil rights activists including local ministers, the NAACP and Al Sharpton. They see in the shooting of McGlockton, an African-American, by Drejka, a white man claiming self-defense, parallels with George Zimmerman's 2012 shooting of Trayvon Martin and one more reason to reconsider Florida's "stand your ground" law. Greg Allen, NPR News.</s>Florida man who made ‘stand your ground’ self-defense claim in fatal shooting charged with manslaughter</s>Prosecutors are charging the man at the center of the Clearwater, Florida Stand Your Ground case with manslaughter

 The Pinellas County State Attorney’s Office filed manslaughter charges today against Michael Drejka.

 He was booked into the Pinellas County jail and bail was set at $100-thousand.

 Drejka shot and killed Markeis McGlockton last month in a dispute over a handicapped parking space.

The 47-year-old initially avoided arrest after Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said he was protected by the controversial Stand Your Ground self-defense law.

 The sheriff then stated he would leave the decision whether or not to file charges up to the district attorney.

The post Prosecutors File Manslaughter Charges In Stand Your Ground Case appeared first on 850 WFTL.</s>CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Following weeks of national debate, protests and calls for a federal investigation, the Florida State Attorney’s Office will file criminal charges in the fatal Clearwater shooting that sparked debate over whether or not the state's controversial "stand your ground" law should apply.

Michael Drejka, 48, is charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of Markeis McGlockton, 28, in an argument over a parking space on July 19 outside the Circle A convenience store.

Drejka was booked in the Pinellas County jail, and his bond was set at $100,000.

"I support the State Attorney's decision and will have no further comment as the case continues to work its way through the criminal justice system," Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said in a statement.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office had declined to arrest Drejka, saying it was a case covered by Florida's "stand your ground" law. The controversial law allows a person to use deadly force if they think they're about to face, "imminent death or great bodily harm."

Deputies gave the case to the State Attorney's Office, which decided a charge was necessary.

“On behalf of the family of Markeis McGlockton, I commend the office of State Attorney Bernie McCabe for charging Michael Drejka with manslaughter for his cold-blooded actions," Clearwater Attorney Michele Rayner, who represents McGlockton's family, said. "This is a big step forward in the direction of justice, not only for Markeis’ family but also for society as a whole.”

McGlockton's family also released their own response.

“The announcement that Michael Drejka will be charged with manslaughter provides our family with a small measure of comfort in our time of profound mourning. While this decision cannot bring back our partner, our son, our father, we take solace in knowing our voices are being heard as we work for justice. This man killed Markeis in cold blood, without a second thought about the devastating impact his actions would have on our family, but this charge gives us a measure of hope that the truth will win and justice will prevail in the end.”

Timeline: How Markeis McGlockton's death ignited the 'stand your ground' debate yet again

Michael Drejka is charged with manslaughter after the deadly Clearwater shooting over a parking space that renewed a debate over Florida's "stand your ground" law.

McGlockton’s girlfriend, Britany Jacobs, watched as the two men confronted each other over the couple parking in a spot reserved for a person with disabilities.

Surveillance video captured the incident, which showed McGlockton pushing Drejka to the ground. About four seconds later, Drejka shot McGlockton once in the chest.

McGlockton stumbled into the convenience store. He died at a hospital 30 minutes later.

"After being slammed to the ground, he felt he was going to be further attacked," Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said during a July 20 news conference. "The Florida Legislature has created a standard that is a largely subjective standard. The person's subjective determination of the circumstance they were in, the fear that they had, is relevant to the determination of whether they were justified in the use of force."

MORE: RAW: Pinellas Co. Sheriff’s Office releases surveillance video of convenience store shooting

Gualtieri cited the “stand your ground” law as the reason to not arrest Drejka right away. Drejka did have a concealed carry permit.

"The easy thing, in some respects, would have been for me to arrest Drejka and kick it to the state attorney," he said on Aug. 1, the day the case was submitted to the State Attorney’s Office. "The easy thing is not the right thing or the legal thing to do based upon the application of law in this case."

MORE: No arrest in Clearwater shooting death; Sheriff says ‘stand your ground’ applies

The shooting sparked much debate regarding whether Florida should change its “stand your ground” law.

Passed in 2005, advocates applauded the expansion of one's right to use deadly force anywhere and anytime they felt violence was imminent. Critics feared it would create a “shoot first-ask questions later” mentality.

MORE: Florida’s ‘stand your ground’ law: How we got here after an argument over a parking spot

The law was preceded by Castle Doctrine, where a person had no “duty to retreat” against a threat inside their home, but outside the home, there was an obligation to attempt to defuse the situation before using deadly force.

MORE: What is the difference between self-defense and Florida’s stand your ground law?

Two former state legislators who voted for the law said it had unintended consequences.

Bob Henriquez, a Democrat from Tampa, and Nancy Detert, a Republican from Sarasota, said they didn’t imagine the law would be considered in a situation like the Clearwater case.

It’s an example of how legislation solves one problem, but creates another, Detert said.

“I can see what we were trying to do,” Detert explained. “I just don't think that bill accomplished it. I'm not embarrassed; I'm surprised I voted for it.”

MORE: Lawmakers who voted for ‘stand your ground’ say it had unintended consequences

Henriquez wants current legislators to change the law.

“I had a personal reaction having voted for this law that I think, over time, it's been shown that there's some flaws,” he said.

The sheriff’s office’s decision to not arrest Drejka sparked rallies, protests and calls for a federal investigation.

Hundreds protested outside the Sunset Point convenience store on July 22 to express their anger.

MORE: Protesters rally against Pinellas Co. Sheriff’s Office’s ‘stand your ground decision

Ben Crump, a well-known civil rights attorney who was also hired to represent McGlockton’s family, said during a July 26 news conference that the killing was cold-blooded.

Crump is known for representing the family of Trayvon Martin, the Sanford teenager shot and killed by George Zimmerman in 2012.

MORE: Clearwater shooting was ‘murder:’ Travyon Martin’s family attorney hired in case

“My first thought on hearing this news was: It’s about time," Crump wrote in a statement. "I firmly stand behind the decision by the State Attorney's Office to charge Michael Drejka with manslaughter for killing Markeis McGlockton. This self-appointed wannabe cop attempted to hide behind ‘Stand Your Ground’ to defend his indefensible actions, but the truth has finally cut through the noise. I have full faith that this truth will prevail to punish this cold-blooded killer who angrily created the altercation that led to Markeis’ needless death. We will continue to fight until justice is brought for the family of Markeis McGlockton.”

Sen. Bill Nelson, along with four other Democratic members of Congress, signed a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions on July 27, asking for a federal civil rights investigation into the shooting.

Members of the group Black Lives Matter released the below statement.

"We are gratified that our efforts prompted our public servant State Attorney McCabe to do the right thing and charge Drejka. While we commend State Attorney McCabe's decision, we will continue examining the racist policies and practices of Sheriff Gualteri and the entire structure that allows for this type of vigilantism to flourish. We thank the community for all their efforts to support their fallen member, and Michael McGlockton's family and partner, Britany Jacobs, for their resolute bravery in the face of their immeasurable loss."

Protesters took to the streets on July 29, blocking the intersection of Haines Road North and 3rd Avenue North, to call for changing the “stand your ground” law.

Police intervened after heated moments between drivers and protesters. The group then went to Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Clearwater, where Tallahassee mayor and gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum led a town hall.

MORE: People block busy St. Petersburg intersection to protest ‘stand your ground’ law

“I don’t know how hard the shove was but let me be clear, there was no action taken by Markeis that necessitated an execution,” Gillum said.

Prominent civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton also held a rally earlier this month with Democratic gubernatorial candidates at St. John Primitive Baptist Church in Clearwater. During the rally, Sharpton called for Gualtieri to, "Lock up shooter Michael Drejka or give up your badge."

In response to Sharpton, Gualtieri said, "I wasn't there and don't really care what Al Sharpton has to say. Go back to New York. Mind your own business."

McGlockton's family, Gillum and other state lawmakers also rallied on Aug. 8 in Tallahassee to push for the repeal of "stand your ground."

Following Monday's arrest, Sharpton -- president of the National Action Network (NAN) -- released the following statement.

“NAN commends the Florida State Attorney’s Office for its decision to file manslaughter charges against Michael Drejka, who shot and killed Markeis McGlockton last month in a gross abuse of the state’s ‘stand your ground’ laws. These laws are an abomination that systematize a method of vigilante justice that consistently provides cover to racists and bigots for murdering innocent Black Americans – which is why I visited Clearwater this month to stand with NAN leaders and Florida’s Democratic candidates for Governor to call for putting an end to these kinds of laws once and for all. Today’s charges offer a ray of hope – but our work is not done. NAN will continue its work as the leading advocate for change in our nation’s broken criminal justice system.”

►Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the 10News app now.

Have a news tip? Email desk@wtsp.com, or visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.</s>Shooter in Florida ‘stand your ground’ case charged with manslaughter



 



 The Florida man who invoked the “stand your ground” self-defense law after shooting a black man over a parking dispute was charged Monday with manslaughter, officials said.

Michael Drejka Monday morning was arrested in the fatal shooting of Markeis McGlockton and bond was set at $100,000.</s>Michael Drejka, who fatally shot Markeis McGlockton after McGlockton shoved him in a Clearwater, Florida, convenience store parking lot, has been charged with manslaughter, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said Monday.

“Consistent with the decision-making process established under Florida law in this case, the State Attorney conducted his review and decided to charge Drejka with manslaughter,” Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said in a news release.

Drejka was arrested Monday morning and booked into Pinellas County Jail. His bail is set at $100,000, the sheriff’s office said.

His first court appearance is set for Tuesday afternoon.

“This man killed Markeis in cold blood, without a second thought about the devastating impact his actions would have on our family, but this charge gives us a measure of hope that the truth will win and justice will prevail in the end,” a family statement said.

The family’s attorney, Michele Rayner, commended the state attorney’s office for the manslaughter charge.

“This is a big step forward in the direction of justice, not only for Markeis’ family but also for society as a whole,” Rayner said in a statement.

Previously, Gualtieri said the state’s “stand your ground” laws prevented him from arresting Drejka last month.

“To arrest, it must be so clear that, as a matter of law, ‘stand your ground’ does not apply in any way to the facts and circumstances that you’re presented with,” Gualtieri said.

‘Stand your ground’ is license to kill, attorney says

His comments came after McGlockton’s family and girlfriend slammed the decision not to arrest Drejka. Drejka, 47, is white, and McGlockton was black.

McGlockton, 28, died July 19 after the altercation with Drejka, which began as an argument over a parking space. McGlockton’s girlfriend, Britany Jacobs, had parked in a handicapped parking space, and Drejka confronted her while McGlockton was inside the store.

What you need to know about ‘stand your ground’ laws

McGlockton came outside, approached Drejka and shoved him to the ground, surveillance video shows. Drejka pulled out a handgun, and as McGlockton backed away from him, shot him in the chest.

“My decision not to arrest is merely doing what Florida law compels,” Gualtieri said at the time. “A whole bunch of people have offered a whole bunch of different opinions. … I’d suggest to you that the mere fact that so many people have so many different opinions validates the decision not to arrest Drejka (at) this stage.”

Pinellas and Pasco County State Attorney Bernie McCabe told CNN he came to his decision to charge Drejka after a nine-day review that began August 1.

“We interviewed witnesses and looked at all the available surveillance video, and we made our decision to move forward based on all the information available,” the prosecutor said.

Florida’s “stand your ground” law, perhaps the strongest in the country, grants immunity to the person acting in self-defense and puts the burden of proof on the state.

“I support the State Attorney’s decision and will have no further comment as the case continues to work its way through the criminal justice system,” Gualtieri said in his Monday statement.</s>CLEARWATER, Fla. — Michael Drejka, who fatally shot Markeis McGlockton after McGlockton shoved him in a Clearwater, Florida, convenience store parking lot, has been charged with manslaughter, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said Monday.

“Consistent with the decision-making process established under Florida law in this case, the State Attorney conducted his review and decided to charge Drejka with manslaughter,” Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said in a news release.

Drejka was arrested Monday morning and booked into Pinellas County Jail. His bail is set at $100,000, the sheriff’s office said.

Previously, Gualtieri said the state’s “stand your ground” laws prevented him from arresting Drejka last month.

“To arrest, it must be so clear that, as a matter of law, ‘stand your ground’ does not apply in any way to the facts and circumstances that you’re presented with,” Gualtieri said.

His comments came after McGlockton’s family and girlfriend slammed the decision not to arrest Drejka. Drejka, 47, is white, and McGlockton was black.

McGlockton, 28, died July 19 after the altercation with Drejka, which began as an argument over a parking space. McGlockton’s girlfriend, Britany Jacobs, had parked in a handicapped parking space, and Drejka confronted her while McGlockton was inside the store.

McGlockton came outside, approached Drejka and shoved him to the ground, surveillance video shows. Drejka pulled out a handgun, and as McGlockton backed away from him, shot him in the chest.

“My decision not to arrest is merely doing what Florida law compels,” Gualtieri said at the time. “A whole bunch of people have offered a whole bunch of different opinions. … I’d suggest to you that the mere fact that so many people have so many different opinions validates the decision not to arrest Drejka (at) this stage.”

Florida’s “stand your ground” law, perhaps the strongest in the country, grants immunity to the person acting in self-defense and puts the burden of proof on the state.

“I support the State Attorney’s decision and will have no further comment as the case continues to work its way through the criminal justice system,” Gualtieri said in his Monday statement.
Michael Drejka is charged with manslaughter by a state attorney after a reversal of an earlier decision made by police. The case stems from a controversial video that shows Drejka shooting another man over a handicapped parking space and claiming self defense.