Joshua Jay Sands
White male
Age at time: 35
Weapon: unarmed
Victim photo: Lee County Sheriff's Office, 2009
Reginald Etienne
Black male
Age at time: 31
Weapon: knife
Defendant photo: Lee County Sheriff's Office, 2010
Case type:
Fight at bar/party
Location:
Public
Initiator:
Defendant
Witnesses:
Yes
Case year:
2010
Location details: Public in Fort Myers, Lee County, on Jan. 01, 2010
What happened: Reginald Etienne stabbed a 35-year-old man to death at a New Year's party then argued he was defending himself against a bigger man. Prosecutors pursued second-degree murder charges after showing Etienne had argued with Joshua Sands, then left the party and returned with the knife he used to stab him.
The outcome: Lee County Circuit Judge Ramiro Manalich denied Etienne's motion for immunity. A jury found him guilty of second-degree murder.
Investigating agency: Fort Myers Police
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? |
|
Source: Fort Myers News-Press, March 22, 2011. Link to original source
Source: Fort Myers News-Press, April 8, 2011.
Source: Lee County Clerk of Court, Jan. 16, 2012.
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Case last updated: July 3, 2012
