Florida Senate to discuss changes to ‘stand your ground’ law – WESH Orlando

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.

A mother whose son was killed during a fight over loud music is headed to Tallahassee to battle a proposal that would expand Floridas stand your ground law.

The Senate Judiciary Committee will take up a proposal (SB 128), filed by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, that would shift the legal burden of proof in "stand your ground" self-defense cases.

The bill would change the way self-defense cases are viewed and how hearings before trial are conducted.

The bill stems from a Florida Supreme Court ruling in 2015 that said defendants have the burden of proof to show they should be shielded from prosecution under the "stand your ground" law.

In "stand your ground" cases, pretrial evidentiary hearings are held to determine whether defendants should be immune from prosecution.

The bill would shift that burden of proof from defendants to prosecutors.

Lucy McBath, the mother of Jordan Davis, will testify against the proposal Tuesday. Davis was 17 when he was shot and killed after a dispute over loud music at a Jacksonville gas station.

Michael Dunn claimed he was defending himself when he shot Davis. Dunn was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

The News Service of Florida contributed to this report

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Florida Senate to discuss changes to 'stand your ground' law - WESH Orlando

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