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ST. Augustine, Fla. – The “Stand Your Ground” hearing in the fatal shooting of Adam Amoya, who died last year during an altercation outside the now-closed Dos Gatos in St. Augustine, will begin Monday, Nov. 14.
The defense plans to play surveillance video in an attempt to get the manslaughter charge against Luis Casado thrown out.
Casado, 31, is also charged with carrying a concealed firearm in a May 2021 shooting.
Related: Prosecutors release video of fatal St. Augustine shooting as lawyer calls for ‘stand your ground’ hearing
In November 2021, the “Stand Your Ground” petition was filed. In the filing, Casado’s attorney, Patrick Cannon, says Amoya and another man “suddenly and violently attacked Casado at the concert for no apparent reason.”
Casado was seen talking with several of Amoya’s friends outside the bar, “nothing of real significance, certainly nothing threatening,” the petition said. Amoya, who was “intoxicated and leaning against the wall, suddenly became violent and demanded that Mr. Casado leave immediately,” the filing said, adding that Casado “did nothing to cause danger or violence.”
Before Casado had a chance to “understand Mr. Amoya’s strange request,” Amoya pushed him, punched him in the face and knocked off his glasses, rendering Casado legally blind, according to the petition. The other person then punched Casado and Amoya punched Casado four more times in the face while Casado was “backing up against a wall,” it said.
After Amoya struck Casado two more times, “he feared for his life and fired his gun to prevent serious injury or death,” according to the petition.
The petition notes that the sequence took 15 seconds and was caught on surveillance video. Casado’s attorney indicates his client has no prior criminal history, but Amoya and the other man do.
The petition also included the medical examiner’s toxicology report on Amoya’s body. Amoya’s blood alcohol concentration level was .266, more than three times the legal limit to drive in Florida. The report found he had hydrocodone and marijuana in his system.
In April, 37-year-old Amoya’s loved ones gathered for his 38th birthday.
Moments before walking to Dos Gatos in downtown St. Augustine, a gathering was held at Amoya’s family’s restaurant, Georgie’s Diner, where friends shared memories.
Cousin Rosalina Chrysidis said Amoya was loved by the community – “a good friend, brother, cousin, son.”
“Every day I wake up and it’s not real. “The hardest part is like waking up and reliving it,” said Krisidis. “I know he wants us to be positive because that’s who he was and that’s what this is. We try to be positive and speak good things to the world, the way he is. He wants us to celebrate his birthday.
Following the meeting at George’s Diner, the group stood outside Dos Gatos, which was closed, holding candles, signs and photos of Amoya.
Copyright 2022 by WJXT News4JAX – All Rights Reserved.
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