Ramon Arzola
White male
Age at time: 23
Weapon: knife
Yajaira Jimenez-Castillo
Hispanic female
Age at time: 15
Weapon: knife
Defendant photo: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Case type:
Alleged sexual assault
Location:
Public
Initiator:
Victim
Witnesses:
No
Case year:
2008
Location details: On a public street in Tampa, Hillsborough County, on June 13, 2008
What happened: Jimenez-Castillo, 15, said she was defending herself from sexual assault when Ramon Arzola tried to grab her breast and pulled a knife. She said she fought back, taking the knife then stabbing Arzola — 74 times. Jimenez-Castillo was drunk and high at the time of the killing.
The outcome: The judge rejected the defendant's "stand your ground" motion and sentenced her in November 2010 to 15 years. All but three years were suspended.
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 |
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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: Hillsborough County Clerk of Court, June 30, 2008.
Source: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, June 13, 2008.
Source: Second District Court of Appeal, March 25, 2011.
Source: Tampa Bay Times, Nov. 29, 2010. Link to original source
Source: Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court, Hillsborough County, March 10, 2010.
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Case last updated: July 3, 2012
