Brett Lee Canada
White male
Age at time: 23
Weapon: unarmed
Victim photo: Florida Department of Corrections
Shane Beil
White male
Age at time: 41
Weapon: gun
Case type:
Attempted theft
Location:
Defendant's Property
Initiator:
Victim
Witnesses:
No
Case year:
2009
Location details: Outside defendant's home in Sorrento, Lake County, on Nov. 19, 2009
What happened: Shane Beil's home business had been the victim of an equipment theft less than three weeks before. So when the alarm he had rigged to protect his lawn-care equipment went off at 3:30 one morning, he grabbed his .357 handgun and told his wife to call police. Beil said he went outside and found 23-year-old Brett Lee Canada in his fenced-in yard by his equipment trailer. He fatally shot the unarmed man in the foot and back.
The outcome: No charges. Assistant Orange County State Attorney Bill Gladson cited Florida statutes and supporting court decisions including the so-called "castle doctrine," which says a person may use deadly force to protect life or home or to prevent a "forcible felony."
Investigating agency: Lake County Sheriff
Case decision made by: Prosecutor
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: Orlando Sentinel, June 5, 2010.
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Case last updated: July 3, 2012
