Speaking on February 20, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said the mistrial over Micheal Dunn’s first-degree murder charge coupled with George Zimmerman’s innocent verdict prove it’s time for “stand your ground” laws to be “reevaluated.”
One small caveat: neither Dunn nor Zimmerman’s defense invoked “stand your ground.”
It’s been well-document that Zimmerman’s case was argued on self-defense apart “stand your ground” and Dunn’s case was argued in the same way. ABC News reports “both defendants argued basic self-defense law that would have been similar in just about every state in the union.”
Nevertheless, ABC News also notes “legal commentators who should know better, [are] repeatedly citing [stand your ground] as crucial in both cases.”
According to The Hill, Hoyer believes the Dunn case demonstrates that “stand your ground” creates inequities and may provide a way out for white people who shoot black people.
He says he will “continue to work with the Congressional Black Caucus” to pursue “equal justice” in this area.
Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter @AWRHawkins
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