Florida

Appeals Court Hears Case of Broward Deputy Who Shot Man Holding Air Gun

An appeals court is considering a judge's dismissal of a manslaughter charge against a Broward Sheriff's Office deputy who fatally shot a black man carrying an air rifle.

Oral arguments were held Tuesday before the 4th District Court of Appeal by prosecutors and the attorney for BSO Deputy Peter Peraza, who is accused in the shooting death of 33-year-old Jermaine McBean. A circuit judge last year threw out the manslaughter charge against Peraza under Florida's "stand your ground" self-defense law, which allows residents to respond to physical threats with deadly force.

Prosecutors said the judge's ruling was wrong and that a jury should hear the case.

McBean's mother, Jennifer Young, was at the courthouse Tuesday.

"Each time I go through this, it gets more complicated. I am going to keep fighting for him," Young said.

Peraza was charged for fatally shooting McBean in 2013 after 911 callers reported a man carrying a rifle down a busy street. Peraza is a white Latino.

An appeals court ruling is likely weeks or months away.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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