Florida Moves To Restrict Media Access To Stand Your Ground Case Records

[LanternWaste]

After a Tampa Bay Times' review of 200 cases that involved the controversial "Stand Your Ground" law found an "uneven application" and "shocking outcomes," one Florida lawmaker is seeking to impede the media's ability to scrutinize the law.

Earlier this month, state Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fort Walton Beach) filed an amendment that would "severely limit access to court records in the self-defense cases," the Times' Michael van Sickler reports.

Gaetz said his amendment was unrelated to the Times' Stand Your Ground investigation, the Associated Press reports. "The point is to ensure that someone who appropriately uses a Stand Your Ground defense doesn't have their life ruined by the use of that defense," he said.

Gaetz has already encountered resistance from Democrats, including Williams, over Stand Your Ground. Last fall, Florida Republicans seemed to concede to public opposition when they agreed to hold hearings on the law. Gaetz, who was appointed to chair the meetings, announced before the hearings began that he did not "support changing one damn comma of the 'Stand Your Ground' law," and characterized any changes as "reactionary and dangerous" and protestors as "uninformed."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/24/stand-your-ground-records_n_5007847.html?ir=Politics&ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000010


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Here are some of the cases Gaetz doesn't want you -- or us -- to see:

Man Retreating From Fight Shot In Back Of Head, 2007
Michael Palmer and Timothy McTigue got into a fight in Rivera Beach, during which McTigue claimed Palmer tried to drown him. McTigue then fatally shot Palmer in the back of the head while Palmer was climbing out of the water. McTigue was acquitted.

Man Kills Lover Having Sex With Wife, 2012
In Brandon, 70-year-old Ralph Wald walked in on former neighbor Walter Conley having sex with Wald's wife. After fatally shooting Conley, Wald claimed that although Conley had lived nearby, he did not recognize him and thought a stranger was raping his wife. Wald was acquitted after a two-hour deliberation. His defense team invoked Stand Your Ground, Wald had 'no duty to retreat' when facing perceived danger.

Neighbor Shoots Man In Stomach Over Trash Bags, 2006
Kenneth Allen was upset that Clearwater neighbor Jason Rosenbloom had placed eight rather than the allowed six trash bags on their curb. The two men got into a verbal dispute. As Rosenbloom approached, Allen shot him once in the stomach and once in the chest, claiming Rosenbloom had tried to enter his home. Allen was not charged, police believing his self-defense claims. Had it been a year and a half ago, he could have been arrested for attempted murder. Said of how the then-new Stand Your Ground law affected the case.

http://www.naplesnews.com/blogs/guns-21st-century-america/2014/mar/25/guns/?partner=RSS

[hollysmom]

1. Cause if you ca't defend your laws, block out all information.

[LanternWaste]

2. I'm guessing Gaetz has a perfect or near perfect rating from the NRA

I'm guessing Gaetz has a perfect or near perfect rating from the NRA, obviously offset by his lack of support for the premier amendment re: speech and the press.