However, Democrats contended the House proposal would make it even harder for the state to prosecute people using the “stand your ground” defense, with Rep. Kamia Brown, D-Orlando, saying the bill would incentivize people to leave victims dead.
“This bill gives abusers the leeway to shoot first and ask questions later,” Brown said. “What stops an abuser from claiming ‘stand your ground’ as an intimidation tactic?”
In “stand your ground” cases, pre-trial evidentiary hearings are held to determine whether defendants should be immune from prosecution. The bill would shift the burden from defendants to prosecutors in the pre-trial hearings.
The “stand your ground” law has long been controversial. It says people can use deadly force and do not have a duty to retreat if they think it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm.
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4/5/2017
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