This week on, On Point with Juandolyn Stokes' segment, "Law and Legal with C K Hoffler" we addressed the Stand Your Ground Law, which is all but certain to be used in Ocala, Florida in the case of a white homeowner who shot her Black female neighbor, Ajike Shantrell "AJ" Owens to death.
The 35-year-old single mother of 4 children was shot in her upper torso, near her right shoulder. Owens was described by friends and family as a kind and loving mother.
Witnesses say some children were playing outside next to a house, when a lady came outside and confiscated a tablet belonging to one of Owens' children. Owens went to the lady's door to retrieve the tablet when she was shot through the door.
According to Attorney Hoffler, Stand Your Ground is an imminent threat to one's health, life, or security, which can be confronted with deadly force. A potential problem some see with this case is the fact that the lady shot Owens from inside her house, through a door, which begs the question how could the lady possibly think she was in danger when she had the gun, and the door was closed?
Another issue people are questioning is why the lady, who has yet to be identified, has not been arrested. Sadly, we saw this same scenario in the shooting of Ralph Yarl, the Kansas City teen who was also shot through a door.
"It doesn't take the police this long to make a determination. It is curious there has not been a determination at this point," said Hoffler.
Hoffler adds, "It is often the families who get justice through independent investigations, hiring attorneys, and demanding justice like the family of Ahmaud Arbery. The faith community also plays a role. "
"Do not allow law enforcement to dictate what happens because they are often biased. We saw that too in Ahmaud Arbery's case," said Hoffler.
"The family should ask for a full-fledged investigation. They have a right to seek justice when an injustice has been served," she added.
