Criminal Law
A Florida Man’s “Stand Your Ground” Defense Has Been Denied in the Case of an Iguana Killing
A Florida man accused of killing an iguana last year wanted a charge of animal cruelty dismissed on the basis of the state’s “stand your ground” law. A judge has denied his motion.
PJ Nilaja Patterson was arrested after allegedly beating, dragging and kicking a 3-foot iguana in Lake Worth, Florida, on September 2, 2020, according to a probable cause affidavit. The animal died as Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control was transporting it to be euthanized, according to the affidavit.
Patterson’s attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the charge, but Judge Jeffrey Gillen denied the motion on Friday.
