Cops Not Buying 'Turtle Defense' in Florida Stabbing Case

While it’s legal to stand your ground in self-defense in the Sunshine State, stabbing a man in defense of a turtle however, is a violation of the law.

At least that was the case in Palm Beach County Tuesday morning when deputies were called out to a disturbance at a Lake Park home. There they encountered a man who had been stabbed and a woman who told them she did it to protect her pet turtle, according to the Palm Beach Post.

The incident unfolded as the woman and her boyfriend were drinking. It seems at some point during the festivities he threatened to hurt the turtle, Fox News reported.

Not willing to let her turtle be harmed, the woman pulled out a knife and stabbed her boyfriend, the Post said.

The boyfriend was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. Deputies do not say how serious his wounds were.

Before being transported to the hospital, the boyfriend told police he didn’t want Seymour arrested. They didn’t seem to agree with him.

Marie Aleese Seymour, 53, was taken to the Palm Beach County Jail for her troubles. She was booked on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to jail records. Seymour was later released on $3,000 bond.

It is unclear what type of turtle Seymour owns.

Photo Credit: Marie Seymour/Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office

See Also:

• ‘Gator Whisperer’ Goes to Jail
• 90-Year-Old Man Arrested Again for Feeding the Homeless
• 100-Pound Tortoise Creates Stir in Sarsota