Russell Ryder
White male
Age at time: 51
Weapon: unarmed
Robert Sykes
White male
Age at time: 46
Weapon: knife
Defendant photo: Brevard County Sheriff's Office, 2010
Case type:
Neighborhood dispute
Location:
Defendant's Property
Initiator:
Unclear
Witnesses:
Yes
Case year:
2010
Location details: Outside the defendant's home in Grant-Valkaria , Brevard County, on Oct. 17, 2010
What happened: Robert Sykes stabbed his neighbor to death after an altercation in a vacant lot near their homes. Sykes claimed he was attacked, but the two had a history of conflict. Both apparently had been drinking, according to a Brevard sheriff's officer.
The outcome: Pending; trial date not yet set.
Investigating agency: Brevard County Sheriff
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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Source: Florida Today, Jan. 21, 2011. Link to original source
Source: Florida Today, Oct. 19, 2011. Link to original source
Source: TC Palm, Oct. 9, 2010. Link to original source
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Case last updated: July 3, 2012
