In any state, even those with Stand Your Ground laws, if you arm yourself and go out looking for a fight, when you find one your ability to plead self-defense is greatly reduced if not eliminated.
How is confronting a thief and demanding back what he stole looking for a fight? You are blaming the victim instead of the thief (who started this all) with a long rap-sheet and who struck first blinding the father in one eye
The father is damn lucky he brought a knife or he would be dead. You think the now dead thief would have had an ounce of remorse if he killed the unarmed father?
I’m not discussing the moral issues of the case. I was simply explaining the law, as I understand it.
You may disagree with the law, and think it’s stupid, but it doesn’t stop being the law.
I am not an attorney, but did do a fair amount of research on the law of self-defense in FL back in the Trayvon days. My previous post is my understanding of how FL law applies.
It may very well be wrong or incomplete. If someone with a more accurate understanding of the law wants to correct my mistakes, I’d appreciate it.
Also, the mere act of picking up a weapon and taking it along to a planned confrontation implies premeditation, particularly in the case of an illegal weapon.
I’m not defending the dead guy, just pointing out that the gentleman who was just sentenced was not himself innocent under the law. AFAIK, this would be true in most US states, too.
With probable exception of Texas. :)