Stand Your Ground Opponents Take Fight To Tallahassee

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL – Pinellas County commissioners are taking a stand on Florida’s Stand Your Ground law.

In a unanimous vote, the Pinellas County Commission passed a resolution Tuesday, Aug. 7 encouraging the Florida Legislature to clarify how Florida’s 2005 Stand Your Ground Law should be applied.

“There is a real concern in this county about how this law is being interpreted,” said commission chairman Kenneth T. Welch. “I think it is important as the governing body of this county to make a statement. This happened in our community and we want the Legislature to address it.”

Welch called for the resolution supporting a special legislative session to review the law and requesting the removal of protections from people who “intentionally provoke confrontation and/or respond disproportionally with deadly force.”

The resolution also calls for the Legislature to clarify process law enforcement agencies use to determine if a person has immunity from arrest based on his or her claim of the Stand Your Ground offense.

The commission’s unanimous vote comes in the wake of the July 19 shooting death of 28-year-old Markeis McGlockton, an event that has divided the community and focused national attention on the parking lot of a Clearwater convenience store (see related story).

The shooting occurred at 3:28 p.m. when McGlockton pushed Michael Drejka, 47, to the ground during a dispute over a handicapped parking space.

While still on the ground, Drejka pulled out a gun and shot McGlockton.

Drejka told the sheriff’s office that he was in fear for his life and was evoking the Stand Your Ground defense.

Under the Florida Stand Your Ground law, Drejka cannot be arrested unless the State Attorney’s Office proves that Drejka does not have a legitimate Stand Your Ground defense.

The McGlocktons’ attorney, Benjamin Crumb, is claiming that the Stand Your Ground defense doesn’t apply because McGlockton was unarmed and was backing up when Drejka shot him.

Now both supporters and opponents of the controversial law are taking their fight to Tallahassee.

Stand Your Ground opponents plan will hold a rally today at the state capitol while Democratic state lawmakers poll the Florida Legislature about holding a special session to consider amending or repealing the Stand Your Ground law.

Secretary of State Ken Detzner will officially poll legislators and, if two-thirds of the 160 legislators agree, a special session will be convened. The polling will take place through Aug. 10.

Drejka has refused requests to comment and hasn't been seen in public since the shooting. However, Gualtieri said detectives have been interviewing him at his home.

Related stories:

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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