Daniel Drake
White male
Age at time: 21
Weapon: unarmed
Gerald Terrell Jones
Black male
Age at time: 17
Weapon: gun
Case type:
Drug deal gone bad
Location:
Public
Initiator:
Defendant
Witnesses:
Yes
Case year:
2012
Location details: street outside house on Mohrlake Drive in Brandon, Hillsborough County, on Jan. 20, 2012
What happened: Daniel Drake, then 21, said he brought a half-pound of "hydro" marijuana to a yard in Brandon intending to make a sale to Gerald Terrell Jones, then 17. They got in a car to do the transaction whereupon Jones allegedly displayed a gun. Drake's partner said he wrestled away the gun but for some reason gave it back to Jones. Jones and Drake then got out of the car, scuffled and Jones, who said he felt himself losing consciousness, shot Drake in the face.
The outcome: Judge denied SYG motion, saying it was up to a judge, not police and prosecutors to decide if a stand your ground defense is valid. A jury then acquitted Jones on attempted second-degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm.
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? |
|
||
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: Tampa Bay Times, May 4, 2012. Link to original source
Source: Tampa Bay Times, May 11, 2012. Link to original source
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Case last updated: July 3, 2012
