Stand Your Ground Hearing Continues for Officers in Deadly UPS Shootout

Stand Your Ground Hearing for Miami-Dade Officers

• ⚖️ The third day of a stand your ground hearing took place for suspended Miami-Dade police officers Rodolfo Mirabal, Richard Santiesteban, and Leslie Lee.
• 🎯 The officers are seeking to have manslaughter charges dismissed in connection with a 2019 shootout that resulted in the deaths of two innocent individuals.

The 2019 UPS Shootout Incident

• 💥 The incident occurred over six years ago when Frank Ordonz, a UPS employee, was carjacked and kidnapped by Lamar Alexander and Ronnie Hill.
• 🚓 Following an armed robbery, Hill and Alexander were killed by nearly two dozen officers who opened fire.
• 💔 Tragically, UPS employee Ordonz and bystander Rick Cutshaw were also killed in the crossfire.

Court Proceedings and Evidence

• 📹 Body camera footage from Officer Mirabal and cell phone video capturing the nearly two dozen officers opening fire were presented in court.
• 🧐 An FDLE investigator reviewed the case, and testimony from the Mateo case, where a dismissal was granted, is being included by the defense.
• 🗣️ State prosecutors argue that the stand your ground statute does not apply and that the officers could have exercised better judgment.

Next Steps in the Hearing

• 🗓️ The hearing has concluded for the day, with the state having one additional witness scheduled to testify next week.
• 📍 The hearing will resume on Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. in Fort Lauderdale.