November 7, 2014 - Court Grants Stand Your Ground Immunity Motion

Florida Third Judicial Circuit Judge Leandra G. Johnson granted Mr. Kent's Stand Your Ground Immunity Motion November 7, 2014 dismissing a charge of second degree murder against Mr. Kent's client Lavell Nicole George.  Ms. George had first been charged with first degree murder and tampering with evidence.  Mr. Kent had objected at first appearance that the state did not have probable cause to establish first degree murder.  The judge then gave the state 48 hours to file an amended complaint to satisfy the elements of first degree murder.  The state instead reduced the charge to second degree murder.  Mr. Kent then filed a motion to dismiss under Florida's Stand Your Ground immunity statute, arguing that Ms. George had acted in self-defense.  The matter was set for an evidentiary hearing October 23, 2014.  Mr. Kent filed two supplemental memoranda of law in further support of his motion to dismiss prior to the hearing.  Mr. Kent's co-counsel, Richard Kuritz, was lead counsel for the evidentiary hearing.  After two days of testimony Mr. Kent did a summary closing argument for the defense at which time Judge Johnson took the matter under submission.  Judge Johnson issued her written order November 7, 2014 granting Ms. George immunity and ordering the dismissal of the second degree murder charge.  Ms. George was also represented by attorneys Lewis Buzzell and Teri Sopp of Jacksonville as co-counsel on the case.  A description of the case can be found here. UPDATE -The State has announced that it will NOT appeal the judge's order, so this ruling is final and our client Lavell George is free of this murder charge.