A Florida jury has found Michael Drejka guilty of manslaughter in the July 2018 shooting death of Markeis McGlockton outside a Clearwater convenience store. Drejka had claimed self defense under the state’s Stand Your Ground law.
The shooting followed an argument over a handicapped parking space. McGlockton confronted Drejka after Drejka questioned his girlfriend, Britany, who was parked in the space with her children. McGlockton died from a gunshot wound to the chest with his family nearby.
The verdict came Friday night. Drejka was taken into custody and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 10. McGlockton’s father, Michael McGlockton, said after the verdict that his family can rest now and can begin putting the pieces back together.
Drejka’s defense attorney argued during closing statements that McGlockton caused his own death by shoving Drejka, and that Drejka, who holds a concealed weapons license, fired to protect himself. Prosecutors argued that Drejka started the confrontation and had no reason to fire because McGlockton was backing away. Prosecutor Scott Rosenwasser told jurors that McGlockton was guilty only of trying to protect his family.
The case drew national attention because Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri did not arrest Drejka at first, citing the Stand Your Ground law. Prosecutors filed a manslaughter charge almost a month later.
Michele Rayner-Goolsby, an attorney for McGlockton’s parents, said after the verdict that the family is thankful the jury got it right.
Our thoughts are with the McGlockton family.
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