Sujaye E. Henry
White male
Age at time: 26
Weapon: gun
Anthony Gonzalez Jr.
Hispanic male
Age at time: 31
Weapon: gun
Defendant photo: Miami-Dade Police Department, 2010
Case type:
Drug deal gone bad
Location:
Public
Initiator:
Victim
Witnesses:
Yes
Case year:
2009
Location details: Two cars were racing along public road in mid-afternoon in Cutler Bay, Miami-Dade County, on Aug. 11, 2009
What happened: Sujaye Henry was feuding over a marijuana deal when he allegedly pulled out his gun, fired it, then took off in his car with men in pursuit. As they swerved through public streets, they exchanged gunfire until Henry's bullet-ridden car crashed into a some bushes, the rear window blasted out. Henry was found dead with three bullet wounds, which investigators said came from a gun fired by Anthony Gonzalez Jr., a passenger in the Maxima that had chased Henry. Gonzalez was charged with murder but eventually pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
The outcome: After Gonzalez filed a "stand your ground" motion, prosecutors offered a plea deal, dropping the second-degree murder charge. Gonzalez pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to three years in prison. A spokesman for the Miami-Dade prosecutor's office said, "The limitations imposed on us by the 'stand your ground' law made it impossible for any prosecutor to pursue murder charges. This is certainly a very difficult thing to tell a grieving family member."
Investigating agency: Miami-Dade Police
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 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Did the victim initiate the confrontation? |
 |
||
Was the victim armed? |
|
||
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? |
|
||
Did someone witness the attack? |
|
||
Was there physical evidence? |
|
Source: Miami Herald, Aug. 12, 2010.
Source: Miami Herald, March 24, 2012. Link to original source
Source: Miami-Dade County Clerk, Aug. 19, 2009.
Click here for more information about how we compiled these cases. Know of something we missed or have a photo to share? Submit a case here.
Case last updated: July 3, 2012
