Johnathon Currie Bond
White male
Age at time: 38
Weapon: unarmed
Victim photo: Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
Joshua Allen Simons
White male
Age at time: 20
Weapon: knife
Defendant photo: Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
Case type:
Argument turned violent
Location:
Public
Initiator:
Defendant
Witnesses:
Yes
Case year:
2011
Location details: Outside near the Stein Mart in Clearwater, Pinellas County, on April 30, 2011
What happened: Joshua Allen Simons stabbed Johnathon Currie Bond with a pocket knife during a fight. Bond's ex-girlfriend said Bond had struck her during an argument between the two homeless people. Simons stepped in and wound up on the ground in a fight with Bond. Police reports say he stabbed the unarmed Bond more than once during the tussle and fled the scene. Simons told police Bond managed to take his pocket knife during the fight and then he got mad and blacked out and is not sure how he got the knife back.
The outcome: Stand your ground motion was denied by a judge but the charge was later reduced. Simons pleaded guilty to felony battery and was sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Investigating agency: Pinellas County Sheriff
Case decision made by: Judge
Trayvon Martin’s death became controversial because circumstances leading up to the shooting cast doubt on who was to blame. The Tampa Bay Times reviewed other “stand your ground” cases for similar circumstances. The Times relied on available information, some of which may not tell the whole story. When the situation was unclear, that was noted.
| Yes | No | Unclear/ disputed |
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|---|---|---|---|
Did the victim initiate the confrontation? |
 |
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Was the victim armed? |
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Was the victim committing a crime that led to the confrontation? |
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Did the defendant pursue the victim? |
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Could the defendant have retreated to avoid the conflict? |
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Was the defendant on his or her property? |
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Did someone witness the attack? |
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Was there physical evidence? |
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Source: Clearwater Police Department, May 10, 2011.
Source: Pinellas County Circuit Court, May 24, 2011.
Source: Pinellas County Clerk of Court case progress docket, May 2, 2011.
Source: Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, Pinellas County, Sept. 12, 2011.
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Case last updated: July 3, 2012
