Stand Your Ground Hearing for Officers in 2019 UPS Shooting Case

Stand Your Ground Hearing

• ⚖️ A stand your ground hearing is underway for three Miami-Dade officers involved in a 2019 deadly UPS truck chase.
• 🎯 The hearing aims to determine if Florida's self-defense law applies to the officers regarding the deaths of two men.

The 2019 Incident

• 🚚 The case stems from a 2019 incident where a UPS driver, Frank Ordonz, who had been carjacked, and a bystander, Rick Kutshaw, lost their lives.
• 💥 The shootout occurred after approximately 20 officers opened fire on suspects Lamar Alexander and Ronnie Hill following a jewelry store robbery.

Key Evidence and Testimony

• 🎤 Officer Leslie Lee, one of the charged officers, stated under oath during an FDLE deposition that he did not fire his weapon, despite state evidence suggesting otherwise.
• 🔍 An FBI Miami investigator testified about the federal investigation into the chase that culminated in the shootout.

Legal Proceedings and Previous Rulings

• 🏛️ In September, a judge granted a motion to dismiss manslaughter charges against officer Jose Matteo in a previous stand your ground hearing, ruling that robbery suspects fired the first shot.
• 🔄 Today's defendants, officers Rulfo Mirabal and Richard Santias Bond, are hoping for a similar outcome, though state prosecutors plan to appeal Matteo's case.
• ⏳ The current hearing is expected to last several days as key pieces of evidence are presented.