Prosecutors Argue ‘Stand Your Ground’ Law In Double Murder Case

By  //  April 28, 2015

hearing update

ABOVE VIDEO: William Woodward, who faces the death penalty for two counts of pre-meditated murder in connection with a Labor Day 2012 shooting, claims he had a right to defend himself under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law in a hearing that is now underway in Viera. (WFTV video)

BREVARD COUNTY • VIERA, FLORIDA – William Woodward, who faces the death penalty for two counts of pre-meditated murder in connection with a Labor Day 2012 shooting, claims he had a right to defend himself under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law in a hearing that is now underway at the Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Justice Center in Viera. 

Prosecutors argued against Woodward’s claim for a Stand Your Ground defense saying that the victims were unarmed when he shot them multiple times, and that Woodward pre-planned the attack.

If Circuit Judge James Earp decides that Woodward shot three men, two fatally, in in self-defense, prosecutors said his murder charges must be dropped.

If not, the case will then be tried and a jury will decide the case at trial.

Woodward, 46, shot and killed Gary Hembree and Roger Picior, and severely wounded Bruce Timothy Blake in the incident that happened at 1950 Smith Drive in Titusville.

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Hembree, 39, was pronounced dead at the scene and Picior, 44, died two days later of his wounds.

The hearing is expected to wrap up this week.

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If Circuit Judge James Earp decides that Woodward shot three men, two fatally, in in self-defense, prosecutors said his murder charges must be dropped. (WFTV video image)

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ABOVE MAP: William Woodward, 46, shot and killed Gary Hembree and Roger Picior, and severely wounded Bruce Timothy Blake in the incident that happened at 1950 Smith Drive in Titusville.