Clearwater Man Charged In Stand Your Ground Case

CLEARWATER, FL -- The Clearwater man who used Florida's Stand Your Ground law to claim immunity from prosecution was arrested today, Aug. 13. by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and charged with manslaughter.

Michael Drejka, 47, who fatally shot Markeis McGlockton, 28, on July 19 at a Clearwater convenience store after McGlockton pushed him down, has been booked into the Pinellas County Jail. Bail is set at $100,000.

Pinellas-Pasco County State Attorney Bernie McCabe decided to charge Drejka after reviewing the investigation conducted by the sheriff's office. According to the Florida State Your Ground law, it falls upon the State Attorney's Office to prove that Drejka is not protected from prosecution. The fact that McCabe has decided to charge Drejka indicates he believes he has evidence that the Stand Your Ground law does not apply in this case.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gaultieri announced on July 20 that he would not arrest Drejka until the State Attorney's Office conducted its review because the Stand Your Ground law prohibits the arrest of someone who may have a valid Stand Your Ground claim.

Today, Gualtieri issued the following statement: "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."

Markeis McGlockton's family issued its own statement: “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.”

Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, who represented Trayvon Martin's family in the Stand Your Ground case against security guard George Zimmerman, and is now representing McGlockton's family, made this statement:

“My first thought on hearing this news was: It’s about time. 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.”

Related stories:
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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Image via Pinellas Sheriff