Sean Thomas Harris
Black male
Age at time: 24
Weapon: bow and arrow
Tabbatha Nussbaumer
White female
Age at time: 36
Weapon: gun
Case type:
Home invasion
Location:
Defendant's Property
Initiator:
Victim
Witnesses:
No
Case year:
2011
Location details: Outside the defendant's home in Pensacola, Escambia County, on Oct. 10, 2011
What happened: Tabbatha Nussbaumer, a 36-year-old reserve Florida Highway Patrol trooper, came out of the shower to find a stranger with a bow and arrow in her house. He asked where the money was, and she lured the man outside to her truck, away from her 9-year-old son. As he followed her outside, she told police, he took off his clothes. She said she fetched a gun from her truck and told him to get on the ground. Instead, he advanced toward her and she fired once, she told police. Sean Thomas Harris, a neighbor, died. He was found to have had cocaine, cannabis, opiates, methadone and amphetamines in his system.
The outcome: State attorney did not charge and ruled it was a justifiable homicide.
Investigating agency: FDLE
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: NorthEscambia.com, Jan. 5, 2012. Link to original source
Source: Pensacola Independent News, Dec. 23, 2011.
Source: Pensacola News Journal, Oct. 15, 2011.
Source: Press Register, March 6, 2012.
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Case last updated: July 3, 2012
