Arthur Tilley
White male
Age at time: 57
Weapon: unarmed
Tamra Leasure
White female
Age at time: 43
Weapon: gun
Defendant photo: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Case type:
Domestic dispute
Location:
Defendant's Home
Initiator:
Unclear
Witnesses:
No
Case year:
2009
Location details: Defendant's home, victim was a houseguest in Riverview, Hillsborough County, on March 05, 2009
What happened: Tamra Leasure had known Arthur Tilley for two months when he began insisting they get married. During an argument at her home, where Tilley was staying, she shot and killed him, saying he threatened to kill her. Leasure initially lied to investigators, trying to make the shooting look like a suicide by putting the gun in his hand. When he died, Tilley's blood alcohol level was three times the level at which the state presumes impairment and he was facing criminal charges in Orlando for biting a waitress.
The outcome: In part because she lied about the shooting immediately after it occurred, the judge would not drop second-degree murder charges. A jury convicted Leasure and she was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Investigating agency: Hillsborough County Sheriff
Case decision made by: Judge
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, May 5, 2009.
Source: Tampa Bay Times, July 30, 2009. Link to original source
Source: Tampa Bay Times, March 15, 2011. Link to original source
Source: Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court, Hillsborough County, July 19, 2010.
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Case last updated: July 3, 2012
