Joshua Gamble
White male
Age at time: 25
Weapon: unarmed
Michael Crockett
White male
Age at time: 25
Weapon: gun
Case type:
Dispute over money/property
Location:
Other Private Property
Initiator:
Defendant
Witnesses:
Yes
Case year:
2010
Location details: At the victim's workplace, Auto Experts Automotive Repair in Tallahassee, Leon County, on Oct. 26, 2010
What happened: Joshua Gamble and his ex-girlfriend were arguing over a jointly owned car at his workplace. The girl's new boyfriend, Michael Crockett, a corrections officer, intervened and pulled his gun when the store owner tried to take a key away from his girlfriend. As the argument escalated, other workers got involved and forced Crockett to the ground, where he shot six rounds from his handgun. Though bullets pierced Gamble's and another worker's clothing, no one was injured. No one else was armed, but the store owner began beating Crockett with a shovel after he took out his gun. Crockett argued he was defending himself and his girlfriend and that he fired all the bullets from his gun at the floor to prevent his attackers from taking his gun and using it against him. Prosecutors argued the couple was trespassing because they had been asked to leave the business.
The outcome: Crockett was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill. A judge denied his "stand your ground" motion for immunity. As of 4/16/12, the case was pending.
Investigating agency: Leon 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 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
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? |
|
Source: Panama City News Herald, Oct. 27, 2010. Link to original source
Source: Second District Court of Appeal, Oct. 26, 2010.
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Case last updated: July 3, 2012
