FORT PIERCE — Before a crowd of approximately 100 people, Patricia Broussard, an FAMU constitutional law professor, explained that because of the immunity clause of the Stand Your Ground Law that was passed in 2005, the controversial law might violate a person’s right to due process.
Since that time, alleged perpetrators have invoked this defense 200 times. In Florida, one in every 17 Floridians has a valid concealed weapons permit, and public records show that police and prosecutors continue to apply the self-defense law unevenly.
On May 20, Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church was the setting for an educational forum on the Stand Your Ground Law sponsored by the Eta Eta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Valerie Bant-Wilson, the sorority’s public policy committee chairman, as well as the sorority’s State of Florida public policy coordinator, felt that because many citizens do not understand the Stand Your Ground Law, such a forum would be beneficial.
The very capable panel -- with representation from the Florida legislature, the State Attorney's Office, law enforcement community, and the judicial system -- was successful in sharing vital information with the audience.
According to Brant-Wilson, many citizens are more confused because of the conviction of Marissa Alexander and the judicial state of Trayvon Martin’s killing.
Broussard served as moderator of the esteemed panel (Chief Deputy State Attorney Thomas Bakedehl, Fort Pierce City Police Chief Sean Baldwin, St. Lucie County Chief Deputy Garry Wilson, attorney Lorenzo Williams, retired Judge Ralph Flowers, and State Rep. Steve Perman), which posed questions that ranged from how the law might pre-empt the law enforcement community and State Attorney's Office from doing their jobs to the reasons the state legislature felt the necessity to replace the Castle Doctrine, which allows a citizen to defend himself or herself.
The panel and audience were able to view several YouTube clips that gave varying examples of individuals using the Stand Your Ground Law to prove their innocence in road rage, auto theft, and domestic violence cases, as well as a neighbor killing two people who were robbing his neighbor’s house.
In light of the many questions germane to the Martin case, Mazella Smith, chapter co-chairman of the forum, articulated that the purpose of the educational forum was to educate and not litigate the particulars in Martin’s case.
It was quite evident that the cases used to illicit audience participation were quite confusing. The general theme conveyed by questioners was that if you killed someone, the law would protect you.
The two-hour forum provided critical thinking from both the panel and the audience.
At the end of the meeting, the audience, as well as the panel, relayed beliefs that the Stand Your Ground Law should be repealed. Perman encouraged the citizens, as he shared the recommendations of Governor Scott’s Task Force, which did not include repealing the law, to contact their representatives if they want to see the Stand Your Ground Law repealed.
This story is contributed by a member of the Treasure Coast community and is neither endorsed nor affiliated with TCPalm.com
SOURCE: TCPalm.com
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