Republican Governor Rick Scott and members of the all-GOP Florida cabinet were noncommittal Tuesday about a call for a pardon in a controversial "stand your ground" case. State Senator Dwight Bullard, a Miami Democrat, wants them to pardon a Jacksonville woman who is serving 20 years for firing a shot that missed in a fight with her husband.
Bullard wrote that Marissa Alexander had reason to fear because her husband had battered her in the past. Her case is also part of the sit-in at Scott's office by the Dream Defenders.
The protestors are now in their third week at the Capitol since George Zimmerman was acquitted in the death of Trayvon Martin.
Their spokeswoman Ciara Taylor, says one good thing to come out of the verdict is the need to explore cases like Alexander's.
"…not only cases involving "stand your ground" but also cases involving the black-and-white ratio as well as – or disparity within using "stand your ground," but also the need to talk about domestic violence against women in this country", Taylor said.
The Dream Defenders have been demanding a special session on the "stand your ground" law.
The governor and Cabinet could take up Bullard's call for a pardon for Alexander late next month, when they'll convene as the clemency board.