The Latest: Defense says parking spot shooting was justified
CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — The Latest on the fatal shooting over a parking spot in Florida (all times local):
10:30 a.m.
A defense attorney told jurors a Florida man who fatally shot an unarmed black man during a dispute over a parking space was justified and acting in self-defense.
Defense Attorney Bryant Camareno said Wednesday during opening statements of Michael Drejka's manslaughter trial that the defendant felt he was in danger when he fatally shot Markeis McGlockton in July 2018 outside a Clearwater convenience store.
Prosecutors say Drejka confronted McGlockton's girlfriend for parking in a handicapped space. Convenience store video recorded McGlockton leaving the store and shoving Drejka to the ground. Seconds later, Drejka pulled out a handgun and shot 28-year-old McGlockton as he backed away. McGlockton ran inside the store, where he collapsed and died.
The trial is expected to last two to three weeks.
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10 a.m.
A prosecutor told jurors a Florida man who fatally shot an unarmed black man during a dispute over a parking space had initiated a similar confrontation just months before.
Prosecutor Fred Schaub said Wednesday during opening statements of Michael Drejka's trial in Clearwater that five months before he fatally shot Markeis McGlockton in July 2018, the defendant had threatened another driver about parking in a handicapped parking spot.
Prosecutors say Drejka confronted McGlockton's girlfriend for parking in a handicapped space. Convenience store video recorded McGlockton leaving the store and shoving Drejka to the ground. Seconds later, Drejka pulled out a handgun and shot 28-year-old McGlockton as he backed away. McGlockton ran inside the store, where he collapsed and died.
The trial is expected to last two to three weeks.
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5:30 a.m.
Jurors are set to hear opening arguments in the trial of a white man who is accused of fatally shooting an unarmed black man during a dispute over a parking space in Florida.
Opening arguments were set Wednesday for a Clearwater courtroom.
Five men and a woman were seated as jurors Tuesday for the trial of 49-year-old Michael Drejka. He's accused of shooting Markeis McGlockton in July 2018.
Prosecutors say Drejka confronted McGlockton's girlfriend for parking in a handicapped space. Convenience store video recorded McGlockton leaving the store and shoving Drejka to the ground. Seconds later, Drejka pulled a handgun and shot 28-year-old McGlockton as he backed away. McGlockton ran inside the store, where he collapsed and died.
The trial is expected to last two to three weeks.
