PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. -- Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri addressed the media Tuesday to explain his decision not to arrest Michael Drejka, the shooter in the "Stand Your Ground" case that has captured national attention.
Although the press conference was supposed to include members of the NAACP Clearwater Branch and the Upper Pinellas County Ministerial Alliance, both organizations canceled less than 30 minutes before the meeting. NAACP later explained in a statement, "We have no intention of standing with the Sheriff on this issue. We continue to demand justice. The Sheriff mentioned that he thought we were on the same page, but the page we are on is that we are still calling for an arrest," Marva McWhite, NAACP branch president wrote. McWhite further explained that they will continue to press the State Attorney's office to "demand justice" since the Sheriff indicated that "the bus has left his station."
WATCH | Pinellas County Sheriff holds news conference to explain decision not to arrest "Stand Your Ground" shooter
Sheriff Gualtieri stands by his decision not to arrest Clearwater resident Michael Drejka in the shooting death of Markeis McGlockton.
“Not all the evidence has been made public. It has not been seen by the public or the media. An opinion cannot be made without all the evidence," Gualtieri explained Tuesday, adding that the case will be turned over to the State Attorney's office for consideration later this week.
The Sheriff also says the case should not be considered a racial issue, as high profile attorney Ben Crump called it late last week. “People are jumping to conclusions that are irresponsible. It is false and self-serving to say this is a racial issue,” Gualtieri explained. “There are people that immediately went to the race card with this Stand Your Ground case, I don’t see that. Race has no bearing on this arrest. Not arresting Drejka because he’s white is nonsense.”
Sheriff Gualtieri also said he does not believe Drejka should be in jail as the State Attorney's office considers the case.
“We are not going to arrest. We are going to continue to investigate. We are going to send this to the state attorney. Drejka will not sit in jail until that decision is made,” Gualtieri added.
“I didn’t get it wrong. I’m well aware of the standard of the law," the sheriff added noting that many have protested his decision not to arrest Drejka. “I don’t make the law and I do not do what people want because of outrage. If you do not like the law, then change it.”
Sheriff Gualtieri also explained to members of the media Tuesday that Drejka no longer has possession of the firearm used in the shooting and that they do not anticipate him fleeing the state or country.
