Thomas Baldoni
White male
Age at time: 42
Weapon: glass beer mug
Victim photo: Pasco County Sheriff's Office, 2008
Clayton Towne
White male
Age at time: 31
Weapon: none
Defendant photo: Pasco County, 2010
Case type:
Fight at bar/party
Location:
Public
Initiator:
Victim
Witnesses:
Yes
Case year:
2009
Location details: Parking lot of MacDaddy's Bar in Hudson, Pasco County, on Nov. 20, 2009
What happened: Clayton Nels Towne had left a bar with a group when Thomas Baldoni approached one of Towne's friends in the parking lot. When Towne tried to intervene, he later claimed, Baldoni hit him in the face with a glass beer mug. Witnesses testified that Towne punched Baldoni, blinding him in one eye, only after Baldoni continue striking the defendant.
The outcome: Judge granted immunity under "stand your ground."
Case decision made by: Judge
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 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
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? |
|
||
Could the defendant have retreated to avoid the conflict? |
|
||
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? |
|
Source: Pasco Circuit Court, Dec. 9, 2010.
Source: Pasco Circuit Court, Dec. 27, 2010.
Source: Pasco County Clerk of Court, March 10, 2010.
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Case last updated: July 3, 2012
