The high-profile Florida parking lot shooting case of Black father Markeis McGlockton will be heading to trial in August 2019.
According to The Associated Press, a judge set the date during a hearing on Friday.
Controversy surrounded the shooting because of the state's "stand your ground law," which protects armed individuals who use their weapons in times of perceived distress. Notably, Black Floridians have not been protected under the law while their white counterparts have used it with impunity.
On July 19, McGlockton intervened in a dispute between 48-year-old white man Michael Drejka and McGlockton's girlfriend, Britany Jacobs. Drejka was reportedly incensed about the couple parking in a handicap spot in front of the store.
The 28-year-old unarmed man came outside of the store with a small child lagging behind him and confronted Drejka. A scuffle ensued, ending with the white man on the ground. Then, Drejka pulled out a handgun and shot and killed McGlockton.
"Markies was a good man," his father, Michael McGlockton, told Blavity in an interview. "He was a loving, devoted dad. He was a jokester. He just had a good soul; a good spirit. I raised him to be a man, and that’s exactly what he was. He was a man amongst men, and unfortunately, that cost him his life."
Reports state Drejka has historically attacked and harassed people using a handicapped spot at the Clearwater, Florida, convenience store.
Customer Rich Kelly claimed Drejka threatened to kill him over the parking space. "It’s a repeat. It happened to me the first time. The second time it’s happening, someone’s life got taken," Kelly told The Tampa Bay Times. "He provoked that."
Even though Drejka does not own the store and isn't disabled, he took it upon himself to "guard" the spot. The store manager has had to call police several times because of his disputes.
Drejka has been charged with voluntary manslaughter but still maintains the shooting was in self-defense.
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