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At the time of the shooting Whitton claimed that he felt threatened by Butcher. Whitton was in his car. Butcher was on a golf cart. (Tellico Village is a fairly upscale retirement community on the lake)
This shooting took place two years before the Zimmerman incident and is just now coming to trial.
Jury begins hearing evidence in Tellico Village killing » Knoxville News Sentinel
I believe, if I remember correctly, Florida's SYG does allow for defense if someone tries to enter your vehicle and they're not authorized to.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gene83
Could be. This took place in Tennessee. I don't think his self defense claim will fly here.Quote:
Originally Posted by CaveJohnson
I am a massive failure today, I'm jumping around from thing to thing and crossing my wires, urgh!Quote:
Originally Posted by Gene83
A self-defense claim could be made in Tennessee. The law, passed in 2007, allows for stand your ground though the definition of vehicle may be hard to overcome.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gene83
While the law allows for "stand your ground", it's going to be difficult for the defense to argue that their client, while seated in an automobile, felt that his life was endangered by an unarmed individual on a golf cart.Quote:
Originally Posted by Adrenaline
Apparently, the jury agreed that he acted in self defense.
Tellico Village man acquitted in fatal 2010 shooting » Knoxville News Sentinel
The "reasonable person" concept at work?
Possibly. The deputy who responded to the shooting testified that he didn't believe Whitton's story. I assumed that testimony would sink the case for self defense, but apparently not. One thing that's interesting is that this case took over two years to finally get to trial. Time usually works in your favor if you're on trial. Witnesses move or die, police officers retire or leave the force, and memories fade.Quote:
Originally Posted by OldVet