When Florida lawmakers come back to Tallahassee this week, the mother of slain teen Jordan Davis is set to come as well. Lucia McBath will be speaking against a “Stand Your Ground”-related measure that’s slated to get its first committee hearing Tuesday.
The measure by Fleming Island Republican Senator Rob Bradley would change the role of prosecutors during the pre-trial immunity hearing that’s part of Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” procedure.
Currently, the accused is expected to prove he or she acted in self-defense in the pre-trial hearing. Bradley’s measure would shift the burden of proof to the prosecution.
In other words, state attorneys would have to prove the shooting in question was not in self-defense in order to go forward with a trial.
As she did in 2015, Lucia McBath intends to testify against the measure when it comes up for a vote Tuesday during the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.
McBath’s son, Jordan Davis, was shot to death in Jacksonville in 2012 during a dispute over loud music. The man responsible, Michael Dunn, had claimed self-defense, though he was later convicted.
