A Florida judge denies “Stand Your Ground” defense in Kevin Gates case.
Back in 2015, we all cringed as we watched the video of Kevin Gates forcefully kicking a female fan in the chest during one of his shows in Florida. Gates claims that Miranda Dixon tugged on his shorts twice while he was performing in an attempt to pull him off of the stage. Allegedly, Gates gave Dixon a warning after the first attempt, but she ignored him. Gates is currently fighting a battery charge.
On Thursday, the 30 year old “Islah” rapper appeared in a Lakeland, Florida courtroom, where he asked the judge to throw out his case. Earlier this year, Gates stated that he used necessary force to defend himself and prevent further harm under Florida’s controversial “Stand Your Ground Law”.
Unfortunately for Gates, Judge Sharon Franklin believes that kicking Dixon was completely unacceptable. In her decision to deny Gates’ motion to dismiss the case, Dixon wrote, “While a simple act of touching or pushing someone without his or her consent may amount to simple battery, the Court finds that such a minor act does not necessarily rise to such a level as to justify the use of force in return.
Defendant testified that he is always scared for his safety at his shows because of death threats he’s received, yet he allowed a very young child to not only walk out on stage with him but allowed this child to remain on the stage for the entire performance.”
Florida law states the “Stand Your Ground” law is valid when a person finds themselves facing death, an imminent threat, or great bodily injury.
Take a look at the footage below.
