Shawn Byers
Black male
Age at time: 43
Weapon: unarmed
Christopher Paul Pink
White male
Age at time: 40
Weapon: none
Defendant photo: Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
Case type:
Unprovoked attack
Location:
Unclear
Initiator:
Defendant
Witnesses:
Yes
Case year:
2011
Location details: outside defendant's house in Largo, Pinellas County, on April 05, 2011
What happened: On their way home from work, Shawn Byers dropped off the girlfriend of defendant Christopher Pink at Pink's Largo residence. According to the arrest affidavit, Pink attacked Byers as Byers was trying to walk the girlfriend to her car. Pink allegedly reached into Byers' vehicle, head-butted him and pushed him against the passenger seat. Byers fled the vehicle through the passenger door, the affidavit says.
The outcome: Pink was arrested on charges of burglary of an occupied conveyance; felony battery and VOP DUI and domestic violence protection injunction. The defense filed a motion to dismiss due to Stand Your Ground law which was denied on 9/29/12. Pink changed his plea to guilty to the burglary and battery charges on 10/2/12.
Investigating agency: Largo Police Department
Case decision made by: Pending
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? |
|
||
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: Largo Police Department, April 5, 2011.
Source: Pinellas County Clerk of Court case progress docket, April 5, 2011.
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Case last updated: Oct. 4, 2012
