Glen "Chuck" Rich
White male
Age at time: 30
Weapon: unarmed
Donald Rivera
White male
Age at time: 44
Weapon: gun
Defendant photo: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Case type:
Dispute over money/property
Location:
Other Private Property
Initiator:
Unclear
Witnesses:
Yes
Case year:
2006
Location details: In a parking area near the Sugar Shack club in Tampa, Hillsborough County, on Jan. 08, 2006
What happened: Tow company owner Donald Rivera (using the name Donald Montanez) shot and killed the owner of a car he impounded. Glen Rich tried to retrieve his car after it had been taken from a legal parking spot at the Sugar Shack strip club. He and his brothers accelerated their car toward Rivera, and Rivera said he fired in self-defense. But evidence showed the gun was fired as the car passed by. Key in this case: Prosecutors believed the shooter was involved in a questionable business operation, towing cars that were legally parked, taking them to a parking area he was not authorized to use and reaping the money for tows that never should have occurred.
The outcome: Though Rivera had initially claimed a "stand your ground" defense, his lawyer announced at trial that he would be relying instead on a self-defense claim. Prosecutors had been ready to challenge the "stand your ground" defense because a person committing a crime (as they said Rivera was doing with his illegal towing business) is not eligible under that statute. A jury found Rivera guilty of a lesser charge, manslaughter, in March 2012. The judge had refused to grant immunity prior to the trial and the 2nd DCA upheld that decision on appeal. Just days before sentencing in June 2012, officials discovered that "Donald Montanez" was really Donald Rivera, a man who had a long criminal history. On June 29, 2012, Rivera was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Investigating agency: Hillsborough County Sheriff
Case decision made by: Jury
Trayvon Martin’s death became controversial because circumstances leading up to the shooting cast doubt on who was to blame. The Tampa Bay Times reviewed other “stand your ground” cases for similar circumstances. The Times relied on available information, some of which may not tell the whole story. When the situation was unclear, that was noted.
| Yes | No | Unclear/ disputed |
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|---|---|---|---|
Did the victim initiate the confrontation? |
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Was the victim armed? |
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Was the victim committing a crime that led to the confrontation? |
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Did the defendant pursue the victim? |
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Could the defendant have retreated to avoid the conflict? |
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Was the defendant on his or her property? |
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Did someone witness the attack? |
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Was there physical evidence? |
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Source: Second District Court of Appeal, Jan. 6, 2010.
Source: Tampa Bay Times, May 19, 2009.
Source: Tampa Bay Times, March 2, 2012. Link to original source
Source: Tampa Bay Times, June 27, 2012. Link to original source
Source: Tampa Bay Times, June 30, 2012. Link to original source
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Case last updated: July 3, 2012
