RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. (AP) - A judge has dismissed seven charges including two murder charges against a man arrested in connection with a shooting rampage at a Sweet 16 party.
The Palm Beach Post (http://pbpo.st/1RiI52O ) reports Judge Glenn Kelley ruled Wednesday that 23-year-old Rijkard Jean-Baptiste returned gunfire at the 2012 party because he was in fear of his life. Kelley says he was immune from prosecution under the state's Stand Your Ground law.
Police say 17-year-old Antonio Hinds and 16-year-old Andy Joseph were killed that night. Five others were injured. Police say it is likely Hinds fatally shot Joseph.
Jean-Baptiste's attorneys say their client fired his gun only after Hinds opened fire at the party. They say after Jean-Baptiste was shot in the leg and fell to the ground, he began shooting to protect himself.
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Information from: The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post, http://www.pbpost.com
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