A Florida man accused of a hate crime for killing a gay man is asking a judge to dismiss the charges, saying he acted in self-defense

Summary

Gerald Radford, accused of killing John “Walt” Lay in a hate crime, claims self-defense under Florida’s stand-your-ground law.

Prosecutors dispute Radford’s story, citing witness testimony of months of harassment, homophobic slurs, and a threatening video Lay shared.

The judge will rule on the stand-your-ground motion next week.

  • Flying Squid
    18•1 month ago

    Lay shared a video claiming Radford had threatened him at the dog park the day before the shooting. In the video, Lay claimed he had an encounter with Radford at the park and that Radford told him, “You’re going to die.”

    So, because this is Florida, I assume the judge will rule that this is a definite stand-your-ground case. Gotta defend yourself against catching a case of the gays.

    • @Telorand@reddthat.com
      17•1 month ago

      It may be Florida, but let’s not forget that they also (rightly) ruled against that lady who shot that 17yo black kid through her door, citing the same law as her defense.

          • Flying Squid
            6•1 month ago

            It has to do with a bigoted Florida judge (a common thing) deciding that killing a queer person is justified and finding the ‘stand your ground’ argument acceptable because of it. I’m not sure why this has to be spelled out for you.

            • @PlainSimpleGarak
              1•1 month ago

              Ok. I’ll bite. What evidence can you provide that it’s common for Florida judges to be bigoted?

                • @PlainSimpleGarak
                  1•1 month ago

                  Your first link doesn’t even mention Florida (unless I missed it). It simply states other judges that have been appointed by Trump. You created the scope of the conversation by stating it is common for Florida judges to be “bigoted”. I’m seeking examples of said bigotry.

                  Your second link simply states Florida judges, who are required to take 30 hours of classes, are no longer required to take any classes regarding “fairness and diversity”. That is certainly not evidence of bogtry.

                  Look man, you are the one you made a statement: Florida judges are commonly bigoted. Your links don’t prove anything of the sort. I’m talking about them handing down verdicts that are objectively bigoted towards the person who is on the receiving end of that verdict. And I’m not taking about one or two cases. You said “common” which means this happens on a routine basis. Either you have the evidence or you don’t.

                  • Flying Squid
                    1•1 month ago

                    Okay, you go ahead and believe Southern judges aren’t bigoted. Enjoy your privilege.

              • Flying Squid
                5•1 month ago

                No one else seems to be confused by the concept of queerphobic Florida judges.

                  • Flying Squid
                    5•1 month ago

                    Nope. I told you “why’s that.” Because Florida judges are bigots. You just seem to not care for that. Maybe you think this man’s stand your ground argument is justified?

                    Edit: also, since when has three been “quite a few?”