Harold Eugene Carter
Black male
Age at time: 35
Weapon: unarmed
Rotesia Levette Bryant
Black female
Age at time: 29
Weapon: scissors
Defendant photo: Florida Department of Corrections
Case type:
Domestic dispute
Location:
In Their Apartment
Initiator:
Unclear
Witnesses:
No
Case year:
2011
Location details: in their shared home in Panama City, Bay County, on Oct. 09, 2011
What happened: Police were called to an apartment on Friendship Ave. by a woman who reported an injured man. Eugene Carter was found stabbed and he died later at the hospital. Rotesia Bryant was interviewed later that evening and allowed to leave while the investigation continued. The next day she was arrested and charged with one count of manslaughter. Details later emerged that Carter was Bryant's live-in boyfriend and they had at least seven domestic violence incidents filed with police. That night Carter was in the process of moving out when they got into a fight. Carter hit Bryant several times, tackled her and pinned her to the bed. Bryant reached out for a weapon, grabbed a pair of scissors and stabbed him twice in the chest.
The outcome: A judged dismissed the case after a Stand Your Ground hearing. Bryant testified that she acted in self-defense and that she loved her boyfriend and didn't intend to kill him. Bryant's attorney said her actions were clearly defensive and she was in fear for her life.
Investigating agency: Panama City
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: WJHG.com, Oct. 11, 2011. Link to original source
Source: WJHG.com, Oct. 11, 2012. Link to original source
Source: WMBB.com, March 31, 2012. Link to original source
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Case last updated: Oct. 4, 2012
