As previously reported by rolling out, Ricardo Sanes, 21, was shot by Claudius Smith last month. Smith claimed that he was in fear of his life because Sanes was wearing sagging pants and had his hands in his hoodie. Sanes was shot twice; once in his upper back and once in the back of the neck, in this high-profile case both the victim and shooter are black.
Sanes, according to witness accounts, did not seem to be bothering anyone or stealing anything but Smith thought he was a burglar. Based on this suspicion, Smith followed Sanes, jumping a fence and gunning him down in a neighboring apartment complex. Charged with second-degree murder, Smith may try to invoke “Stand Your Ground” as a defense. Police stated that Sanes did have gun but it was hidden deep in his pants and could not be seen nor was it displayed.
