Crime
Judge Rejects 'Stand Your Ground' Claim Made in Savage Antigay Attack
screengrab
Four men are suspected of brutally assaulting a gay couple during Miami Pride weekend in 2018.
February 07 2022 8:21 PM EST
@wgacooper
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Four men are suspected of brutally assaulting a gay couple during Miami Pride weekend in 2018.
Four suspects who are accused of attacking a gay couple attempted to use Florida's controversial "stand your ground" law in order to have the charges against them dismissed last week. A judge rejected their claims.
"There's nothing in that video -- and I watched it over and over again -- that showed me that any of these defendants was in fear for their safety or their lives," Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Ariana Fajardo Orshan said at the conclusion of a three-day hearing last week, according to local TV station WSVN.
"I cannot find that any one of these defenses can be used for prosecution, so the motion to dismiss is denied," Orshan said.
The four men are accused of attacking Rene Chalarca and Dmitry Logunov during Miami Pride in 2018.
The two were holding hands as they left a restroom when they were attacked. The accused attackers are Juan Carlos Lopez, Luis Alonso Piovet, Adonis Diaz, and Pablo Reinaldo Romo-Figueroa. The incident was caught on video.
(Editor's Note: Some readers may find the video below difficult to watch.)
\u201cDO YOU RECOGNIZE THESE 4 SUSPECTS?\n\nThese suspects are responsible for the brutal attack that follows. Occurred Sunday night after Miami Beach Gay Pride at 6 Street/Ocean Drive. \n\nCall Crime Stoppers: https://t.co/rYWIrW8nIR.\u201d— Miami Beach Police (@Miami Beach Police) 1523370799
The four have been charged with battery with a hate-crime enhancement, according to WSVN.
Attorneys for the suspects cited Florida's "stand your ground" law as a defense and argued that the gay men were the aggressors. The law allows someone to use deadly force if they feel their life is threatened
"Prosecutors said Lopez attacked the men after Chalarca accidentally brushed him coming out of the bathroom," the Miami Herald reports. "They allegedly began to call the victims an anti-gay slur in Spanish, police said. As depicted on surveillance video, the attackers repeatedly punched the two gay men, in the face, causing cuts and bruises. The blows temporarily knocked out Logunov."
The next court hearing is planned for March 11.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!