Shooting suspect claims self-defense; charges dropped
A “stand your ground” defense has freed a suburban West Palm Beach man charged with shooting his brother-in-law during an argument two years ago.
Judge John S. Kastrenakes o n Monday d i s mi s s e d a charge of attempted first-degree murder against Harlan Tuitt, 35, ruling in favor of a defense motion to dismiss the case under the state’s Stand Your Ground law.
Tuitt had been accused in the February 2015 shooting of his brother-in-law during an argument at Tuitt’s home on Bosque Lane.
“We think the judge made a p ro p e r a n d wi s e d e c i - sion,” defense attorney Eric Schwartzreich said. “Today, justice was done.”
Defense attorneys argued that Tuitt was defending himself after being threatened in his home. The Stand Your Ground law authorizes people to meet force with deadly force in their homes, cars or any place they feel their lives are in danger without a duty to try to retreat.
On the night of Feb. 19, 2015, Tuitt called 911 to tell authorities he had shot his brother-in-law four times. He told investigators his brother-in-law showed up to his home uninvited. The men drank alcohol as Tuitt celebrated a promotion at work.
According to defense attorneys, Tuitt began discussing a business he was planning to start and offered his brother-in-law a job working at minimum wage The offer angered Tuitt’s brother-in-law, who began making threats, attorneys said in a motion filed in court.
Tuitt told investigators he was forced to defend himself when his brother-in-law came at him “aggressively.” The bullets struck the brother-in-law in the torso, buttocks, arm and legs.
Investigators spoke to the shooting victim the following day at St. Mary’s Medical Center.
The man said he had been invited to celebrate Tuitt’s promotion. He said Tuitt became upset when he mentioned Tuitt’s actions at a Super Bowl party. The man said he believed Tuitt was intoxicated and was trying to kill him.