[Amy]

A teenager has become the youngest person in the U.S. to escape a murder charge under a controversial 'stand your ground' law.

A judge ruled that Jorge Saavedra, 15, was in danger from the older boy and acted in self-defence when he stabbed Dylan Nuno to death.

Saavedra, who was 14 at the time, stabbed his attacker 12 times with a pocket knife he had been carrying in Naples, Florida.


Fatal stabbing: Jorge Saavedra (left) was found not guilty of murder after a judge decided he had stabbed Dylan Nuno (right) in self-defence
The teenager had been charged as a juvenile with second-degree murder and faced spending the next seven years in jail if he was convicted.

However a judge ruled Saavedra was within his right to use deadly force to defend himself.

Under the 'stand your ground' law people living in Florida are allowed to use deadly force if they fear their life is in danger.

The self-defence law was introduced in Florida by Governor Jeb Bush in 2005 and has mostly been used by homeowners protecting themselves from burglars.


Free to go: Jorge Saavedra (second right) learns from Judge Brodie that he will not face a charge of second-degree murder after stabbing his schoolmate Dylan Nuno to death


Bullying: Both boys were classmates at Palmetto Ridge High in Florida where the trouble originally started

Legal experts said Saavedra was the youngest person to escape criminal prosecution under the seven-year-old law.

The family of the 17-year-old Dylan Nuno criticised Collier County Circuit Judge Lauren Brodie’s decision, calling it 'unbelievable and heartbreaking'.

'STAND YOUR GROUND' LAW

The 'Stand Your Ground' law states that an individual has no duty to retreat, no matter where an attack takes place.

Under the 2005 law people have the right to use deadly force as long as they 'reasonably believe' their life is in danger.

Criminal defence lawyer Eddie Suarez, said the law had redefined when you can act in self-defence.
Mr Suarez said: 'The statute provides immunity for a citizen who reasonably believes they are in danger of serious bodily injury or death or the commission of forcible felony.

'That person has the right to use deadly force. They don't have to retreat. They can use deadly force to protect themselves. The key is that belief has to be reasonable.'

Gun control groups criticise the legislation as encouraging citizens to 'shoot first, ask questions later'.

The law exists in states including Florida, Alabama, Texas, Georgia and Nevada.

'We know this wasn’t the right decision,' said Dylan’s aunt, Adriana Nuno.

'(The judge) is showing those kids it’s OK to get away with murder.'

In a nine-page written judgment Judge Brodie concluded that Saavedra was being bullied and had attempted to avoid a fight with the older boy who also attended Palmetto Ridge High in Naples.
He said the 14-year-old had got off the school bus a few stops before the location where he was expected to fight Nuno.

Witnesses said Saavedra tried to run away, but ended up fighting with Nuno and used his knife in the brawl that was witnessed by other students.
Nuno died after being stabbed 12 times in the chest and abdomen. One of the blows pierced the teenager's heart.

In her decision, signed December 30, 2011, the judge said Saavedra had 'no duty to retreat' and was 'legally entitled to meet force with force, even deadly force'.

She stated: 'The defendant was in a place where he had a right to be and was not acting unlawfully.
'He had more than enough reason to believe he was in danger of death or great bodily harm ... (He) was under attack from the first punch to the back of his head until he stabbed Dylan Nuno.'

A spokesman for the State's Attorney's Office said they accepted the decision and would not be appealing.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

[DiamondSmiles]

I do feel for the victims of bullying and realize some people can't deal with it. They probably have low self esteem or depression and that's sad.

This kid should have tried for roles as a vampire or wolfboy though. He couldn't see his own potential.

The bully looks like a jerkoff.

[sherrimccharles]

'We know this wasn’t the right decision,' said Dylan’s aunt, Adriana Nuno.

'(The judge) is showing those kids it’s OK to get away with murder.'

Yeah, the judge is saying you better not bully people because one day, someones gonna kill ya, and thats ok.

[Steve]

It's a bit extreme to stab someone 12 times just over a fight.

[güttsfükk]

maybe makin an example of this one to see if it helps this law be a deterrant for bullies

[prax22a]

We have the same law in Montana

[Mr.Goodbar]

Originally Posted by Steve. ↗

It's a bit extreme to stab someone 12 times just over a fight.

Maybe the kid was bullied day-in and day-out and finally just snapped. Kids can be merciless.
He probably felt better with a knife on him.
Fuck the bully. he probably wuld have grown up to be a right cunt or a wife basher

[BrownRock]

I don't know how I feel about the case. I agree, you should be able to defend yourself with deadly force if necessary. If the bully victim felt he needed a knife, then I guess he felt his life was in danger. Another side of me feels that kids these days are scared to take an ass whoopin. They are quick to pick up a knife, or a gun. It's a fucked up situation all around.

[Gregore Mortis]

I guess, corporal punishment still has some uses in parenting.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by Mr.Goodbar ↗

Maybe the kid was bullied day-in and day-out and finally just snapped. Kids can be merciless.
He probably felt better with a knife on him.
Fuck the bully. he probably wuld have grown up to be a right cunt or a wife basher

Well he won't ever have a wife now because he hurt someones fucking feelings.