James Houghtaling
White male
Age at time: 50
Weapon: unarmed
Vincent Strollo
White male
Age at time: 50
Weapon: board
Case type:
Argument turned violent
Location:
Other Private Property
Initiator:
Victim
Witnesses:
Yes
Case year:
2010
Location details: In the defendant's apartment complex in Daytona Beach, Volusia County, on July 19, 2010
What happened: Vincent Strollo and James Houghtaling had a simmering argument throughout the day in communal areas of Strollo's apartment building. Strollo accused the other man of being drunk, raucous and threatening. At one point, the landlord asked Houghtaling to leave the complex, where he had been visiting a friend. Strollo also called police, who arrived and found the man had left. But Houghtaling returned later and during another confrontation, Strollo hit him with a 2-by-4 board. He said Houghtaling was drunk and attacking him and his girlfriend.
The outcome: Judge ruled he was immune from prosecution.
Investigating agency: Daytona Beach Police
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? |
|
||
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: Daytona Beach News Journal, Jan. 3, 2011.
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Case last updated: July 3, 2012
