A judge rejected Gerald Radford’s attempt to invoke Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law to avoid prosecution for fatally shooting a gay man in Tampa earlier this year. The 66-year-old will now face a jury trial on charges of second-degree murder and a hate crime enhancement. Killed John Walter Ray, 52 years old February 2, 2024 at West Dog Park.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Mr. Radford repeatedly harassed Mr. Ray for more than two years, calling him homophobic and making derogatory comments about his sexual orientation. The harassment culminated in an altercation between the two men, which ended with Radford shooting and killing Ray.
Mr. Radford and his lawyers had tried to argue that he should not be prosecuted, citing Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law. Under the law, a person is authorized to use deadly force if they reasonably believe it can prevent imminent death or bodily harm.
During a lengthy court hearing reminiscent of a trial, Radford testified that Ray had assaulted her and that she was defending herself. But prosecutors presented testimony from more than half a dozen friends and acquaintances of both men, all of whom characterized Mr. Radford as hostile and aggressive toward Ray.
According to a report from the Tampa Bay ABC affiliate WFTSRadford called 911 on February 2, telling dispatchers that he got into a “scuffle” with Ray, then pulled out a gun and shot him. There were no witnesses.
Due to a lack of witnesses, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office delayed filing charges against Radford for more than a month after the shooting. However, the charges were later filed after friends and acquaintances of Ray and Radford reported that they had previously heard Radford make bigoted slurs against Ray and threaten to harm him because of his sexual orientation. .
Sheriff’s deputies discovered that 24 hours before his death, Ray had sent a cellphone video to friends warning them that Radford was threatening to kill them.
Radford and Ray met as part of a group of pet owners who regularly meet at the West Dog Park while walking their dogs.
The group’s discussions occasionally turned to politics, with the liberal Mr. Ray and the conservative Mr. Radford clashing.
However, other members of the group say it was Radford’s discomfort with Ray’s sexual orientation, rather than the men’s political disagreements, that caused the hostility.
Witnesses testifying at the “Stand Your Ground” campaign hearings said Mr. Radford repeatedly referred to Mr. Wray with homophobic slurs. Sources described an instance in which Radford walked up to Ray at the dog park and blocked his path. Some speculated that Radford was trying to provoke a fight, while others testified that they heard Radford threatening Ray.
Witnesses characterized Mr. Radford as rude and hostile while Mr. Ray was friendly and nonconfrontational, although Mr. Radford appeared to be irritated by his interactions with Mr. Radford.
Radford insisted he had no problem with Ray’s sexuality, but admitted he had used homophobic slurs against Ray. According to him, friction between the two began when Ray asked Mr. Radford to have a beer with him, but Mr. Radford took it as a sexual invitation and told Mr. Ray that he was not interested. It is said that it was the beginning of
Radford also claimed that Ray regularly threatened to “kick his ass” and “butt his head in”. He claimed that on the day of the shooting, Ray approached him and asked him why he was there and told him that everyone hated him. Ms Radford claimed she told Ray to leave her alone. Shortly after, he said, Ray, who is larger and younger than Radford, began punching Radford, knocking him to the ground. At that point, Radford pulled out a 9mm handgun and shot Ray in the upper right chest.
Despite the best efforts of Mr. Radford’s attorneys, Hillsboro Circuit Judge Samantha Ward rejected Mr. Radford’s “stand your ground” argument and set the trial date for January 6, 2025. I planned it. She said she would later issue a written appeal and did not elaborate on her reasons for denying the claim. order.
Mr. Ward also rejected a request to reconsider his previous decision denying Mr. Radford bail, and Mr. Radford will remain in jail awaiting trial.
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
