FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - A June 13 date has been set for a Florida deputy’s “Stand Your Ground” defense against a manslaughter charge in his fatal shooting of a black man carrying an air rifle.
If suspended Broward Sheriff’s Office Deputy Peter Peraza prevails, he won’t stand trial. The manslaughter charge would be dismissed, and he’ll be immune from civil action as well under Florida law.
The 37-year-old Peraza, who is white, otherwise faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted in the July 2013 killing of 33-year-old Jermaine McBean, who may not have heard police telling him to drop the unloaded rifle because he was listening to music through earbuds.
Peraza has pleaded not guilty. A judge confirmed the hearing date on Thursday.
McBean’s family also filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit.
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