Florida

Trial to Start in Fatal Florida Shooting of Unarmed Black Man Over Parking Spot

What to Know

  • Prosecutors say Drejka confronted McGlockton's girlfriend for parking in a handicapped space.

Jurors are set to hear opening arguments in the trial of a white man who is accused of fatally shooting an unarmed black man during a dispute over a parking space in Florida.

Opening arguments were set Wednesday for a Clearwater courtroom.

Five men and a woman were seated as jurors Tuesday for the trial of 49-year-old Michael Drejka. He's accused of shooting Markeis McGlockton in July 2018.

Prosecutors say Drejka confronted McGlockton's girlfriend for parking in a handicapped space. Convenience store video recorded McGlockton leaving the store and shoving Drejka to the ground.

Seconds later, Drejka pulled a handgun and shot 28-year-old McGlockton as he backed away. McGlockton ran inside the store, where he collapsed and died.

The trial is expected to last two to three weeks.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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