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Prosecutors charged a white man with manslaughter Monday in the death of an unarmed black man whose videotaped shooting in a store parking lot has revived debate over Florida’s “stand your ground” law.
According to Pinellas County State Attorney, Bernie McCabe, “Michael Drejka, 47, has been charged the July 19 eath of Markeis McGlockton outside a Clearwater convenience store.” Michael was being held at the county jail on $100,000 bail.
Markeis girlfriend, Britany Jacobs was seated in the couple’s car with two of their children, ages 3 and 4 months. The situation came about due to the couple being parked in a handicapped-accessible space. Markeis had gone into the store with their 5-year-old son.
The video shows Markeis exiting the store and shoved Michael to the ground. Seconds later, Michael pulled a handgun and shot Markeis as he backed away. The McGlockton family attorney Benjamin Crump – who gained national prominence representing the family of Trayvon Martin said in a statement, “it’s about time, Drejka was arrested. The family, civil rights groups and others had been holding protesting demanding he be charged.”
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri originally declined to charge Michael, saying one day after the shooting the man was protected by Florida’s stand-your-ground-law. The sheriff passed the case to prosecutors for a final decision.
Written By; Fantasia. H