So-called \u201cstand your ground\u201d laws have received much national attention, especially after one such law was invoked in George Zimmerman\u2019s successful defense (State of Florida v. Zimmerman) relating to Trayvon Martin\u2019s death in February 2012. <\/p>\n
But at least one case in Missouri has demonstrated that killings can be deemed justified on broader, more complex grounds than the right to stand one\u2019s ground under Missouri law.<\/p>\n
In May 2013, Brandon Coleman was shot to death by Dustin Deacon in Columbia, Missouri. Before he died, Coleman was brandishing a gun at Deacon\u2019s father, who had been attempting to drive Coleman from his property. Deacon\u2019s father was armed with a large knife during the confrontation. <\/p>\n
Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Knight ruled that Coleman\u2019s killing was justified under Missouri law; Deacon reasonably felt that force was needed to defend his father from the imminent use of unlawful force by Coleman.<\/p>\n