No ‘STAND YOUR GROUND’ Right For 71 Year Old Florida African American Man

[The Straight Story]

(as noted in article this happened in 2010)

According to the Tampa Bay Times, the jury rejected Trevor Dooley’s claim of self-defense under the state of Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law.

....

The Tampa jury found Dooley, a 71-year-old black man, guilty of manslaughter in the shooting death of his white neighbor, 41-year-old David James, in front of James’ then-8-year-old daughter Danielle.

The Jamaican-born Dooley believes that racism played a big part in his conviction, and he is not alone. Dooley told reporters, “Do you really think that if it was the other way around and the skin color would be different we would be here today? … We wouldn’t.”

...

The incident occurred in September 2010, when James and Dooley got into an argument over a skateboarder who had been given permission by James to skateboard on the other side of the basketball court where James and his daughter had been playing.

Dooley, who is 5-feet-7 and weighs 160 pounds, said in his testimony that he shot the 6-foot-1, 240 pound James when he felt his life was in danger because James had his hands around Dooley’s neck and was trying to reach for his gun.

The Times also reported that along with manslaughter, Dooley was also convicted of the dubious charges of improper exhibition of a weapon and open carrying of a firearm, both misdemeanors.

http://politicalblindspot.org/no-stand-your-ground-right-for-71-year-old-florida-african-american-man/

[MotherPetrie]

1. Nope. The law might as well include the text "This law only applies to white male guncuddlers."

[Orrex]

5. It's nice to see that white males are finally getting a break in this world.

[etherealtruth]

21. Obviously, this is one of those things that is just a given

[Decoy of Fenris]

2. I've been kind of prodding action on stuff like this, Story: No dice so far.

Thanks for keeping pages like this up front. At least it'll keep me busy.

[Decoy of Fenris]

3. Just so you know, SS: From what I can tell, shooter drew and initiated conflict first,

rendering both SYG and Self Defense moot.

I'm currently searching for alternative sources of information to confirm or deny.

[geckosfeet]

4. This is an insanely disgusting double standard.

I really think the feds need to start investigating these cases. The race aspect in this case seems blatant.

[Decoy of Fenris]

6. All witnesses say Dooley initiated, drew, and ended the conflict. No SYG/defense. n/t

[Schema Thing]

9. So just like Zimmerman then.

[Decoy of Fenris]

10. He got off light; 8 years instead of 30 with 100% corroborative eyewitnesses?

Z's witnesses were inconsistent and unreliable, not to mention contradictory and I'm willing to wager not a one of them "Saw" anything, let alone the start of the fight.

Dooley described as "A John Wayne type", stickler for rules, and, oh yeah, -drew his gun first-. That's kind of the kick in the teeth for a SYG argument, no matter what race they are.

[ManiacJoe]

7. Witnesses say Dooley was the aggressor and

illegally brandished the gun while looking for a fight.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/witnesses-dispute-trevor-dooleys-stand-your-ground-claim-in-valrico/1206308

[Eleanors38]

8. The Jax case where a white man is charged with

murdering an unarmed, non-threatening black teen seems more apt.

[onenote]

11. The jury in the Dooley case has been described as "multi racial"

However, I've not seen a more detailed description (other than that the jury had three men and three women). In addition, his family later walked back the accusation that the verdict was racially based, saying that it was "something Dooley had blurted out in frustration."

http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/civil/trevor-dooley-sentenced-to-8-years-for-manslaughter/1270967

[uponit7771]

12. SYG is a WHITES ONLY LAW!!!

[Decoy of Fenris]

22. Yeah, because drawing a gun and initiating conflict is "standing your ground." n/t

[Fantastic Anarchist]

13. There's also the other lady that was sentenced to 20 years!

For firing a warning shot in the air. She didn't even kill anyone and got 20 fucking years! Jury took 14 minutes, yes, I said minutes, to reach a verdict.

Oh, and she was black.

I forgot about that part of the law.

[Igel]

18. Bad example.

You should find one that is plausible.

It probably took 14 minutes because they needed to take roll, fill out the paperwork, and use the bathroom.

Should have taken the plea bargain. Or done any number of a dozen things differently.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

19. Yes, nature called.

[hack89]

14. He cursed out the victim as he flashed his handgun

if Z did that to TM, would you consider that a threat? Would TM have the right to SYG?

[boston bean]

15. He and Zimmerman deserve jail time. nt

[etherealtruth]

23. Exactly! n/t

[dkf]

16. Was there any evidence of the choking? Bruises perhaps?

If there were, self defense should have been considered.

[exboyfil]

17. There was the testimony of the victim's young daughter (about 10)

who said Dooley turned away when her father lunged towards him and grabbed him by the throat. James, the victim, outweighed Dooley by 80 pounds, and he was a 41 year old Iraqi war veteran. I have been saying all along that they held Martin to a higher standard than James (a scared 17 year old minor vs. a trained 41 year old man).

Dooley should be in jail for manslaughter just like Zimmerman. Both wanted to be the new sheriff in town without any authority. Both instigated actions which led to the deaths (one a 41 year old man the other a 17 year old boy).

It basically came down to it did not matter what happened prior to Martin supposedly gaining the upper hand. That should be the same argument for Dooley who was in much greater danger facing a man who outweighed him by 80 pounds and had bee trained in the military.

Finally you have a 60+ year old small man vs. a 27 year old man who had been doing exercises including MMA style exercises and had a history of violence. Zimmerman outweighed Martin by 25 pounds (so a total difference of 105 pounds). Who was in more danger.

[dkf]

20. It would likely take more than testimony of a family member.

Personally I would have given all consideration to self defense including histories of both. I don't see how this man is a danger to society. We can't bring back people...tragic.

Maybe I should be more cognizant of the deterrent effect but I wonder if that works anyway.

[roamer65]

24. The more I read on these cases, the more I see the need for SYG repeal.