Earlier this week video was released showing Lakeland, Florida city commissioner Michael Dunn shooting and killing an alleged shoplifter on October 3 who was trying to leave his military supply store (see our original post here). Now, a grand jury has indicted Dunn on a charge of second-degree murder.
As the Orlando Sentinel reports . . .
Lakeland Commissioner Michael Dunn was taken to the Polk County Jail on Friday where he is being held without bond.
The media continue to try to use the case as yet another indictment of the Florida’s “stand your ground” law.
Polk County State Attorney Brian Haas said at a press conference he believes Dunn may use stand your ground as a defense.
“I have determined this case and the actions of Mr. Dunn fall outside of the protection of the stand your ground law,” Haas said.
We’d agree with Haas. This doesn’t appear to be a stand your ground situation at all.
From the video evidence, Cristobal Lopez appears to be trying to escape Dunn’s grasp and doesn’t present a threat of “imminent death or great bodily harm to (Dunn) or another (person).” You can read Florida’s stand your ground statute here.
Then again, we’re neither judge nor jury and Dunn is likely to face both in the not-too-distant future.