Craig McMinimy
White male
Age at time: 52
Weapon: unarmed
Matthew Alfonso Garcia
White male
Age at time: 18
Weapon: none
Defendant photo: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Daniel Martinez
Hispanic male
Age at time: 20
Weapon: none
unharmed
Defendant photo: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Joshua Ott
White male
Age at time: 19
Weapon: none
unharmed
Defendant photo: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Case type:
Neighborhood dispute
Location:
Public
Initiator:
Defendant
Witnesses:
Yes
Case year:
2010
Location details: At Mosaic Park near the victim's home in Riverview, Hillsborough County, on June 03, 2010
What happened: Craig McMinimy said he was walking his dogs along a wooden sidewalk when three young men, including his neighbor Daniel Martinez, blocked his path. He said Martinez said, "Old man, you want to pop off tonight?" then hit him in the head with an unknown object. An officer said the injury left part of his skull visible. A day earlier, McMinimy had called code enforcement on Daniel Martinez's father. The three young men disputed that version of events, saying McMinimy lunged at Martinez and began to reach into his back pocket. That's when Martinez said he punched the man. Martinez and his friends were charged with battery. According to the Sheriff's report, Martinez's friends, Matthew Garcia and Jashua Ott, are certified members of the Bloods gang.
The outcome: A judge granted immunity for Garcia and Ott under "stand your ground." But he denied Martinez' motion. Prosecutors offered Martinez a plea deal that withheld adjudication.
Investigating agency: Hillsborough 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? |
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Source: Hillsborough County Clerk of Court, June 4, 2010.
Source: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, June 3, 2010.
Source: Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court, Hillsborough County, Jan. 18, 2011.
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Case last updated: July 3, 2012
