Fernando Castulo Morales
White male
Age at time: 32
Weapon: unarmed
Edwin Vargas-Lopez
Hispanic male
Age at time: 34
Weapon: knife
Case type:
Fight at bar/party
Location:
Defendant's Property
Initiator:
Victim
Witnesses:
Yes
Case year:
2009
Location details: In the defendant's car outside Antojitos Mexicanos Restaurant and Bar in Bradenton, Manatee County, on March 14, 2009
What happened: Fernando Moralez was stabbed to death outside a Bradenton bar. Defendant Vargas-Lopez had been dancing with a woman when two men confronted him. He left, got in a truck and was punched through the open driver-side window. He stabbed out the window. A witness said she was in the process of dragging the victim away when he was stabbed.
The outcome: Murder charge reduced to manslaughter, then dismissed by judge.
Investigating agency: Manatee County Sheriff
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 |
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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? |
|
Source: Bradenton Herald, Feb. 21, 2010. Link to original source
Source: Sarasota Herald Tribune, Feb. 19, 2010. Link to original source
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Case last updated: July 3, 2012
