PALM BAY, Florida – The criminal case that stemmed from last year’s video taped beating of a teen in Palm Bay where 35-year-old Gary Leroy Johnson, Jr., a father of one of the teenagers, was seen intervening in a fight between two teenagers is scheduled on the court docket to commence today at the Moore Justice Center in Viera, Florida before Brevard County Circuit Court Judge Morgan Laur Reinman.
Johnson allegedly arranged the fight between the two teens last August at his house on Dallam Avenue in Palm Bay. After acquiring a video of the fight where Johnson is seen punching one of the teens, Palm Bay Police arrested Johnson. Johnson faces two third degree felony counts of child abuse, one first degree felony county of aggravated child abuse, a second degree felony count of aggravated battery, and three additional misdemeanor charges.
Johnson, through his attorney, filed a motion to dismiss based on Florida’s 2005 ‘Stand Your Ground’ law which allows a Florida resident to meet force with force if that person feels it necessary to protect himself rather than first attempting to retreat from the scene. Judge Reinman has reserved ruling on the motion. UPDATE: The jury trial commenced on February 28 and will continue on February 29.
