Judge dismisses manslaughter charge against Florida deputy

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A judge on Wednesday dismissed a manslaughter charge against a Florida deputy who claimed self-defense in the 2013 fatal shooting of a 33-year-old black man carrying what turned out to be an air rifle.

Circuit Judge Michael Usan ruled in favor of suspended Deputy Peter Peraza of the Broward Sheriff ’s Office under Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” selfdefense law that eliminates a requirement to retreat — for civilians and law enforcement officers, the judge said — when facing a dire threat.

The now-dismissed manslaughter charge carries a potential 30-year prison sentence. Prosecutors immediately said the decision will be appealed.

The ruling was issued the same day all remaining charges were dropped against Baltimore police officers in the death of Freddie Gray, who was injured while being transported in a police van. And it comes in the midst of a tense national discussion of policing and race, including the fatal shootings of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and recent police killings of black men in Baton Rouge and Minnesota.

Peraza, 37, who identifies himself as a white Hispanic, testified during a hearing that Jermaine McBean initially refused commands from him and other deputies to drop the authentic-looking weapon and then turned and pointed it toward the deputies in July 2013. Peraza fired three shots, killing him.