I see a lot of comments on both sides that the shooter is guilty or innocent. I also see again, references to the Zimmerman/Martin case in which people continue to refer to Zimmerman as the guilty party when he was found innocent at trial. I don't condone Zimmerman's behavior since his trial in the Martin case, however finding the current shooter guilty "just like Zimmerman" is disingenuous and sounds more like a lynch mob. The criminal justice system will move forward and since charges are being filed, there will be a conviction (either through trial or plea) or the shooter will be exonerated. Many point to McGlockton backing away and then being shot. This will be thoroughly examined by both the prosecutor and defense. What was the time between pulling out the gun, the response, and the trigger pull? Were any threats being made after Drejka was pushed to the ground? Reports are that McGlockton was 11 feet from Drejka at the time of the shooting. BEFORE anyone claims that McGlockton was too far away to hurt Drejka, I suggest you review the
Tueller Drill. The Tueller Drill is not a rule or a law, but it demonstrates reaction times and distance relationships. There is also a lack of understanding of what Stand Your Ground means. If the shooter is found guilty, it will be because his claim of self defense would be invalidated. Stand Your Ground indicates that a person does not have to leave a place he is legally entitled to be BEFORE he is allowed to defend himself.
I am curious about Drejka's historic behavior that is being reported AFTER the shooting. For example, it is against the law to brandish your firearm UNLESS you are in fear of your life. The Washington Post (per another poster's link) reports three separate events but no charges being filed or in at least one case, declining to press charges. Additionally, if it was known that the shooter was "harassing people" for parking in the handicap spot in this parking lot, why weren't trespassing charges filed against Drejka? Had someone tied to the business that owned/operated the parking lot filed such a complaint, then Drejka would not have been on the premises legally. Stand Your Ground, and quite possibly a self defense claim might be more tenuous (I will leave that to the attorneys). Yes, Drejka should not have appointed himself to question people about parking in a handicapped zone and should have let the police handle it, but WHY DIDN'T people who observed illegal or threatening behavior by Drejka NOT press charges or call the police to begin with?
Whether the shooting was justified or not, there are many lives that are/will be impacted by these tragic events. The genie can't be put back in the bottle, and now the criminal justice system is involved. Isn't it also tragic that no one wanted to step up and get them involved before the shooting?