Juan Lopez
White male
Age at time: 34
Weapon: unarmed
Neil Parello
White male
Age at time: 40
Weapon: gun
Case type:
aggravated battery with deadlyweapon
Location:
Private
Initiator not known
Witnesses:
Unclear
Case year:
2010
Location details: defendant's home in Miami, Miami-Dade County, on Sept. 03, 2010
What happened: Juan Lopez, a process server for Dade County courts, went to Neil Parello's home, where he was told by Parello's son Damien that his father wasn't home. Lopez asked the youth to get his mother, but Damian said she was sick and couldn't come to the door. Lopez then identified himself and asked that an adult come to the door. Parello did, pointing a revolver at Lopez and ordering him to "get the f-- off my property.'' He then slammed the door. Lopez, in fear of his life, dropped the subpoena and went to his car. As he reached the vehicle he heard four or five gunshots coming from Parello's home.
The outcome: Parello pleaded to guilty to a misdemeanor weapons charge and the aggravated assault with a firearm and resisting an officer with violence charges were nolle prossed in September of 2012.
Investigating agency: Miami Police
Case decision made by: Prosecutor
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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Case last updated: Oct. 4, 2012
