A Florida man who claimed self-defense in a “Stand Your Ground” gun law case that garnered national attention, was convicted on manslaughter charges on Aug. 23 after a week-long trial that ended in six hours of jury deliberations.
Michael Drejka, 49, was accused of shooting and killing 28-year-old Markeis McGlockton in the parking lot of a Clearwater convenience store on July 19, 2018, reported Fox News.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, the altercation began when McGlockton and his family pulled up to the store around 3:30 p.m. in a 2016 Chrysler 200.
The driver of the vehicle—McGlockton’s girlfriend—26-year-old Britany Jacobs, parked in a handicap-reserved spot. McGlockton went into the store while Jacobs waited in the vehicle with the couple’s two children.
Soon after, Drejka pulled up in a Toyota 4Runner. He emerged from the vehicle, approached Jacobs, and began asking her why she was in the spot without proper authorization. An argument then ensued.
During the argument between Drejka and Jacobs, McGlockton emerged from the store, approached Drejka, and shoved him to the ground.
Drejka claims he then whipped out a Glock .40-caliber handgun in self-defense and shot McGlockton as he turned away and retreated for cover.
The incident, captured on surveillance video, was played for the jury in court.
During closing arguments, Drejka’s attorney John Trevena told the court, “He did what he thought he had to do, in the moment, in the split-second time, given that he was attacked.”
“You may not agree with the law. But you took an oath as a juror to uphold the law,” he added.
Due to the difference in skin color between the suspect and victim, the case also took on a racial angle, being referred to by at least one media outlet as “Trayvon II”.
Stand Your Ground
The Florida gun legislation law, “Stand Your Ground,” that was initiated in 2005, allowed for gun owners to defend themselves with lethal force regardless of whether or not retreat was possible beforehand.
The details of the law specify that the shooter must have truly believed their life was in danger, and also must not have been the instigator of the altercation.
Drejka, being protected under the law, was initially able to elude arrest.
Three weeks later, however, Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney Bernie McCabe formally arrested and charged Drejka with manslaughter.
Some claimed Drejka’s initial escape from arrest was because of race, with Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri responding: “He told deputies that he had to shoot to defend himself. Those are the facts and that’s the law.”
“No matter how you slice it or dice it that was a violent push to the ground,” he added.
Reactions
McGlockton’s mother Monica Robinson said in a statement: “This conviction doesn’t bring our son back, but it does give us some sense of justice because far too often the criminal justice system fails us by allowing people who take the lives of unarmed black people to walk free as though their lives meant nothing.
“We are hopeful that this conviction will be a brick in the road to changing the culture of racism here in Florida.”
Sentencing for Drejka is scheduled for October, and he could face up to 30 years in prison.
