FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A Broward County judge continued to weigh whether three suspended Miami-Dade police officers should be granted immunity pertaining to a controversial 2019 shooting at a busy Miramar intersection.
The shooting occurred following a police chase of two men who robbed a Coral Gables jewelry store and then hijacked a UPS truck with the driver still inside.
Killed in the shooting were the two suspects, the UPS driver and an innocent bystander who was sitting in his car when the gunfire erupted.
During Wednesday’s hearing, body camera footage was once again played, and the defense called a law enforcement expert witness to speak.
Also called to the stand was one of those three officers, Leslie Lee. He spoke about hearing bullets flying by him, and what he saw when he opened fire at the truck.
Defense attorneys are arguing that Florida’s self-defense immunity applies as, in their view, use of force was justified.
The judge hearing this case is the same judge who last year granted immunity to a fourth officer that had been indicated for manslaughter in the same shooting.
The Broward State Attorney’s Office filed an appeal of that ruling as prosecutors don’t think “stand your ground” applies.
According to the state attorney, while the three defendants are being heard at once in the “stand your ground” hearing, the judge will offer a ruling for each one separately.
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