David James
White male
Age at time: 41
Weapon: unarmed
Trevor Dooley
Black male
Age at time: 69
Weapon: gun
Defendant photo: KATHLEEN FLYNN | Tampa Bay Times
- May 15, 2012: 'Stand your ground' claim by Trevor Dooley in fatal park shooting rejected by judge
- Dec. 14, 2011: Witnesses dispute Trevor Dooley's 'Stand Your Ground' claim in Valrico shooting
- May 15, 2011: For a little girl whose father was killed in front of her, grief takes its own course
- Nov. 18, 2010: Fatal Twin Lakes shooting shatters a family -- and a neighborhood's peace
- Sept. 29, 2010: Bus driver charged with manslaughter in fatal shooting on Valrico basketball court
- Sept. 28, 2010: Aftermath of deadly shooting in Valrico leaves community bewildered
Case type:
Citizen enforcing the law
Location:
public
Initiator:
victim
Witnesses:
yes
Case year:
2010
Location details: on the basketball court of a public park in Valrico, Hillsborough County, on Sept. 26, 2010
What happened: Trevor Dooley, 69, had his handgun tucked into his waistband when he walked to a basketball court across from his home to shoo away a skateboarder. David James, 41, was playing basketball nearby with his daughter. James began arguing with Dooley, telling him to leave the skateboarder alone. Dooley turned to walk away but James yelled after him, asking him about the gun sticking out of his pants. Dooley turned back and pulled out his gun. James then lunged at Dooley in an apparent effort to disarm him. They struggled, falling to the ground, and the gun fired, striking James in the chest. When the police arrived, Dooley was waiting in the park for them.
The outcome: A judge denied Dooley immunity at a "stand your ground" hearing. Dooley was convicted of manslaughter in November of 2012. The jury decided the case in just 90 minutes and said that Dooley had shot and killed a young neighbor for "nothing."
Investigating agency: Hillsborough County Sheriff
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? |
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Source: Tampa Bay Times, Sept. 28, 2010
Source: Tampa Bay Times, Sept. 29, 2010
Source: Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court, Hillsborough County, April 1, 2012
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Case last updated: Dec. 17, 2012
