Accused Stand Your Ground Shooter To Go To Trial In August

CLEARWATER, FL -- The trial date for the controversial Clearwater Stand Your Ground Case that made national headlines has been scheduled for Aug. 19.

The shooting death of 28-year-old Markeis McGlockton, a black father of three, on Thursday, July 19 at the Circle A food store in unincorporated Clearwater has cast a spotlight on Florida's controversial 2005 state law that allows a person to use deadly force against someone if he feels his life is in jeopardy.

The law first ignited national debate six years ago when George Zimmerman used the defense to justify shooting and killing Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old unarmed teen walking inside a gated community in Sanford in 2012. Zimmerman was acquitted of second-degree murder and manslaughter charges and declared justified in using lethal force.

In this Clearwater case, Michael Drejka, 48, is charged with shooting and killing McGlockton, who was unarmed, after a fight in which McGlockton pushed Drejka to the ground. McGlockton collapsed and died in front of his 5-year-old son.

The argument erupted when McGlockton's fiance, Britney Jacobs, pulled her 2016 Chrysler 2000 into a handicapped parking space outside the convenience store so McGlockton and their son could go into the store and purchase some drinks and snacks.

Jacobs waited outside with the couple's 3-year-old and 3-month-old children. While she was waiting, Drejka approached her to complain about her parking illegally in a handicapped space. As the argument became heated, a customer went into the store to report the argument to the clerk. McGlockton overheard and ran out to defend his fiance.

After McGlockton pushed him to the ground, Drejka, who had a valid concealed weapons permit, pulled a gun out of his pants and shot McGlockton once in the chest. Drejka said he feared for his life from the taller, more muscular McGlockton.

Nevertheless, State Attorney Bernie McCabe concluded that the shooting did not meet the parameters of the Stand Your Ground law because McGlockton stepped back and put his hands up in a gesture of surrender after pushing Drejka. He charged Drejka with manslaughter.

Image captured from convenience store surveillance video

Related stories:
Clearwater Man Charged In Stand Your Ground Case
Sheriff To Sharpton: Go Back To New York, Mind Your Own Business
Stand Your Ground Opponents Take Fight To Tallahassee
Civil Rights Leader To Attend Rally For Stand Your Ground Victim
Detractors A No Show At Stand Your Ground Press Conference
Clearwater Stand Your Ground Case Now In State Attorney's Hands
Pinellas Sheriff: Stand Your Ground Applies In July 19 Shooting
Trayvon Martin's Lawyer Joins Clearwater Stand Your Ground Case
Attorney Says Stand Your Ground Defense Not Justified In Shooting

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