Patrick Lavoie
White male
Age at time: 33
Weapon: unarmed
Victim photo: Broward County Sheriff's Office
Cleveland Murdock
Black male
Age at time: 38
Weapon: gun
Case type:
Road rage
Location:
Defendant's Property
Initiator:
Victim
Witnesses:
Yes
Case year:
2010
Location details: Defendant's car in Pompano Beach, Broward County, on Sept. 15, 2010
What happened: Patrick Lavoie, a passenger in his girlfriend's Honda Civic, felt Cleveland Murdock was tailgating them as they drove in Pompano Beach. Lavoie told his girlfriend to stop the car, then he jumped out and angrily approached Murdock's black Toyota Tacoma truck. When Lavoie, who had a cigarette lighter in his hand, tried to reach through Murdock's passenger window Murdock shot and killed him. Murdock had a concealed weapons permit.
The outcome: The Broward County Sheriff's Office spoke with witnesses and interrogated Murdock, then let him go, turning the case over to prosecutors to decide if murder charges were warranted. In November 2010, a grand jury decided no charges would be filed.
Investigating agency: Broward County Sheriff
Case decision made by: Grand 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 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
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: Miami Herald, Sept. 17, 2010.
Source: Sun Sentinel, Sept. 17, 2010.
Source: Sun Sentinel, Nov. 18, 2010.
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Case last updated: July 3, 2012
