Michael D. Frazzini
White male
Age at time: 35
Weapon: bat
Todd Rasmussen
White male
Age at time: 43
Weapon: gun
Case type:
Neighborhood dispute
Location:
Other Private Property
Initiator:
Unclear
Witnesses:
Yes
Case year:
2006
Location details: Victim's mother's backyard in North Fort Myers, Lee County, on March 27, 2006
What happened: Michael D. Frazzini, 35, went to his mother's house to investigate claims that neighbors were harassing her, specifically 22-year-old Corey Rasmussen, who, she said, had taken her car keys. Frazzini, dressed in sweat clothes and a camouflage mask, hid in the back yard. When the Rasmussens spotted someone behind the house, Corey Rasmussen jumped the fence into a utility easement where they encountered Frazzini carrying something in his hand. It was a souvenir baseball bat. Corey's father, Todd, instructed his daughter to retrieve his .357 revolver. He saw his son and the masked man facing off, he told police, yelled a warning and then fired one shot into Frazzini's chest. Frazzini fell face down onto a manhole cover. It is still in dispute whether Frazzini was in his mother's yard when he was shot, though the police report lists the Rasmussen property as the scene of the incident.
The outcome: Not charged.
Investigating agency: Lee 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: Fort Myers News-Press, Aug. 4, 2006.
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Case last updated: July 3, 2012
