Stand Your Ground: Renisha McBride, Trayvon Martin, and the Law of Self-Defense

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Both parties agreed to the facts. On November 2, 2013, at 4:30am in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, Theodore Wafer shot and killed Renisha McBride, an unarmed 19 year-old woman who had been pounding on the front door to his house.  The case was quickly thrust into the public spotlight, spawning coverage from numerous news sources and even its own Wikipedia page.  The ensuing two-week trial ended last Thursday when, after two days of deliberation, the jury returned a guilty verdict, convicting Wafer of second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and a felony firearm-related offense.

Self Defense or Murder?: Is the Shooting of Renisha McBride the Next Big Story?

As the country begins to move past the media frenzy that followed the killing (or murder, depending on where you stand) of Trayvon Martin, a new incident has occurred that seems prime to dominate headlines.  Around 1:00 am on November 2, 2013, Renisha McBride drove her vehicle into a parked car in suburban Detroit.  Tests would show that McBride had a blood alcohol content of 0.218%, well above the legal limit in Michigan.  A few hours later, a “bloodied and disoriented” McBride approached the porch of Dearborn Heights resident Theodore Wafer.  Sources report that McBride began to knock on Wafer’s door, prompting Wafer to come downstairs with his shotgun.  Wafer, standing in his home, discharged his weapon through a closed screen door, striking and killing the twenty-four year old McBride.  Wafer then called 911 to report the shooting.  Wafer told investigators that he brought down the shotgun because he believed McBride was attempting to break into his house (though there were no signs of forced entry).  He also claims that the weapon accidentally discharged while he was investigating the situation.  McBride died shortly after and Wafer has been charged with second degree murder.