What to Know
- A Broward County judge and investigators for both the state and a suspended BSO deputy visited the scene of a 2014 shooting.
- Deputy Peter Peraza is using Florida's Stand Your Ground defense in the case involving the death of Jermaine McBean.
One day after defense attorneys wrapped up their case, a Broward County judge and investigators for both the state and a suspended BSO deputy visited the scene of the July 2013 shooting that ended with one man being killed.
Deputy Peter Peraza testified that he told the victim, Jermaine McBean, to drop the weapon he was holding. Peraza said McBean refused, then later turned and pointed the authentic-looking camouflage air gun at Peraza, who fired three shots at McBean.
Peraza is using Florida’s Stand Your Ground law as his defense in the shooting. If he is granted that, the case will be dismissed. If not, it will continue to a trial, where the deputy could then be sentenced to a maximum of 30 years in prison if convicted of the manslaughter charge.
Officials will visit the Oakland Park scene where the shooting took place in an effort to decide if Peraza’s defense is valid. McBean reportedly suffered from bi-polar disorder and had suffered a recent episode before the shooting. He had purchased the air rifle shortly before the shooting took place.
Peraza’s legal team called 31 witnesses while presenting their case, while the State Attorney called four witnesses before the case was recessed for the day.
