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A Caucasian man from Florida who told investigators that he had a "beastly beast" about illegal parking in areas for the disabled was convicted on Friday of manslaughter for murder of a black unarmed man in front of a convenience store.
Six jurors deliberated for six hours in Clearwater before convicting Michael Drejka for the death of Markeis McGlockton on July 19, 2018. Drejka, who could be 30, looked down after reading the verdict, then wiped her forehead with a blue tissue. Mr Drejka, 49, was sentenced to prison until his conviction in October. He looked straight ahead as he was handcuffed and led out of the audience room.
The verdict came about half an hour after the jurors sent a note saying that they were confused by the state's law of self-defense. Circuit Judge Joseph Bulone told them that all he could do was reread it for them.
The long law usually states that a shooting is justified if a reasonable person, in these circumstances, believed himself in danger of death or serious bodily harm. But he also says that the shooter could not have triggered the altercation.
McGlockton's family members cried when the verdict was read and hugged and shook hands with prosecutors after the court adjournment.
"This belief does not bring our son back to life, but it gives us a sense of justice because all too often we lack the criminal justice system by allowing people who take the lives of unarmed blacks to break free, as if their life meant nothing., "Monica Robinson, McGlockton's mother, said in a statement. "We hope this conviction will facilitate the transformation of the culture of racism in Florida."
Theresa Jean-Pierre Coy, one of Drejka's lawyers, told reporters in court that she was complying with the verdict, but that her team could probably appeal. She expressed her condolences to the McGlockton family and stated that, even though she was disappointed in the verdict, she was "happy that they had received the justice they were looking for".
Drejka was opposed to McGlockton's girlfriend, Britany Jacobs, who wanted to park in a disabled area, while McGlockton was going to a convenience store with his 5-year-old son. The security video recorded McGlockton leaving the store and pushing Drejka to the ground. Seconds later, Drejka pulled out a handgun and shot McGlockton, 28, while he was recoiling. McGlockton ran inside the store, where he collapsed and died in front of his son.
The video was aired repeatedly for the jury consisting of five men and one woman.
Drejka did not testify on her behalf, although the jurors viewed a video of her interview with detectives. Drejka had a concealed weapons license for 25 years and told the detectives that he was "still carrying" his weapon.
Drejka told the detectives that he had a "beastly beast" about illegal parking in areas for the disabled and that he often wandered around such cars looking for stickers and stickers. signs for the disabled, sometimes taking pictures. He said that he often saw people illegally stationed at the disabled place in this convenience store, but that the owner was not doing anything about it.
Drejka testified that he saw McGlockton 's car at the disabled place in July 2018, so he went to the back and forth, looking for stickers, which show security videos. He said that the windows of the car were tinted, so he did not know that there was someone inside.
Jacobs, who was sitting with the two youngest children of the couple, partially laid his window and asked what he was doing. He said that he told her that it was "not very polite" to park there and "she took this for an affront". He said it sparked a heated discussion, Jacobs saying, "Do I have to have my man?"
Jacobs testified that Drejka had started to point her finger at her and shout at her. She said that she had cracked the window to hear what he was saying.
Attorney Scott Rosenwasser said in argument earlier Friday that Drejka had prompted McGlockton to push him by shouting at Jacobs instead of calling the police he feared him so much to be parked at the hotel. Place reserved for the disabled. The testimony showed that he had confronted a septic truck driver to park in the same place months before, which caused a dispute.
"He is a parking attendant," said Rosenwasser.
Defense lawyer John Trevena told the jury that such comments were ridiculous. Drejka retired after about 30 years after being deforested because of health problems.
"Does it look like Charles Bronson in 'Death Wish'?" he asked, referring to the 1974 action film. "This is not an activist."
Drejka, the son of a police officer, had no record before the shooting.
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Spencer reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Schneider from Orlando, Florida.
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