Stand Your Ground Hearing Continues for Officers in 2019 UPS Shootout

Stand Your Ground Hearing for 2019 Shootout

• ⚖️ Three Miami-Dade police officers are in court for a 'stand your ground' hearing to seek dismissal of manslaughter charges stemming from a 2019 shootout.
• 🎯 The hearing aims to determine if the officers acted in self-defense during a deadly confrontation that occurred after a robbery and carjacking.

Events Leading to the Shootout

• 🚨 The incident began with an armed robbery of a jewelry store in Coral Gables, followed by a carjacking of a UPS truck with the driver still inside.
• 🚓 A police chase ensued, eventually ending on Miramar Parkway when heavy traffic forced the suspects to stop the UPS truck.

Devastating Outcome of the Shootout

• 💔 The shootout resulted in the deaths of the suspects, UPS driver Frank Ordonez, and bystander Richard Kutshaw.
• 👨‍⚖️ The three co-defendants, Leslie Lee, Ralpha Mirabbal, and Richard Santias Bond, are represented by attorneys seeking immunity.

Precedent and State Appeal

• 🏛️ A fourth officer, Jose Matteo, involved in the same shooting, had his manslaughter charge dismissed on the same 'stand your ground' defense by the presiding judge.
• 📈 The state plans to appeal the previous ruling and could appeal again if these three officers are also granted immunity.