of Florida Stand Yours grround The law has been controversial since its inception. that is subject of widespread debate after the murder of Trayvon Martin in 2012, and ever since, More and more states are following follow in Florida’s footsteps passed similar laws that seem allow individuals to use force in certain situations with little or no consequences if individuals feel they are in any “reasonable danger.” Most recently, the law was used to dismiss the allegations against a Uber driver in Florida shot and killed a 19-year-old passenger, Miami Press report.
According to Police report from Hollywood detectivesyear 2022, Uber driver Christopher Bernadel told investigators he and the victim, 19-year-old passenger Miles McGlashan, received disagreement over McGlashan’s destination.
Bernadel then walked over to the Barry University student, exchanging words and the passenger punched him in the head “several times,” the driver told police. After taking a gun from his belt, Bernadel shot McGlashan once before getting in his car, leaving, and calling 911 minutes later at about 7:30 p.m.
The report continues that pPolice arrived and found McGlashan lying on the ground bleeding next to the Uber with gunshot wounds to the chest and lower back. He was in the hospital for 71 days before being discharged life support in early January this year. Police never arrested Bernadel even though Uber removed him from the platform as a driver.
Worse still, there were no witnesses to the shooting, police never updated the McGlashan family about an investigation, and the Broward state attorney’s office said the examination of his gunshot wounds. McGlashan is “limited” due to the life-saving interventions already in place. during surgery.
Unfortunately, those things don’t matter because the Broward state attorney’s office declined to bring charges against Bernadel because of Florida’s S.and YOur Gcircular law.
In a statement released Wednesday, Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor justified the decision not to prosecute Bernadel after meeting with the McGlashan family. “Florida Basic Law requires prosecutors to evaluate the facts and evidence we receive,” Pryor said. “Although hearts and minds often struggle, prosecutors are tasked and required by law to ensure not only that there is good reason to support a criminal charge, but that there is sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegation beyond any reasonable doubt.”
The McGlashan family now wants a state attorney to review the case so that it can be brought before a grand jury. Willard Shepard, the family’s attorney, thinks Bernadel should be charged. He said: “After he got out of the car and chased Mr McGlashan, we believe he should be treated as the aggressor.
