Troy Absher
White male
Age at time: 36
Weapon: unclear
Victim photo: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Nathan McReynolds
White male
Age at time: 36
Weapon: gun
unharmed
Defendant photo: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Case type:
Drug deal gone bad
Location:
Defendant's Property
Initiator:
Unclear
Witnesses:
Yes
Case year:
2008
Location details: In the defendant's driveway in Valrico, Hillsborough County, on Oct. 04, 2008
What happened: Troy Absher, 36, went to Nathan McReynolds' house in Valrico to buy drugs. McReynolds was sitting in his GMC conversion van in his driveway when Absher and his girlfriend pulled in next to the van. McReynolds and Absher began arguing and Absher was shot in the head. He later died. McReynolds fled the scene and was caught the next morning at a Tampa motel. He said Absher had threatened to fight him and his gun accidentally went off when Absher opened the door to get out of his car. A third man, who had sold McReynolds meth in the past, witnessed some of the incident because he pulled up on the other side of McReynolds' van during the argument.
The outcome: A judge denied immunity, and a jury found McReynolds guilty of manslaughter. He was sentenced to 28 years in prison.
Investigating agency: Hillsborough County Sheriff
Case decision made by: Jury
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 Sheriff's Office, April 8, 2010.
Source: Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court, Hillsborough County, Oct. 6, 2008.
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Case last updated: July 3, 2012
