A Pasco County jury this week acquitted Anthony Boglino of Hudson of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Boglino shot his neighbor one time in the abdomen in May 2008. He faced 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

The jury relied on Florida’s “stand your ground” law in finding Boglino not guilty.

Boglino testified that he felt threatened when he and a neighbor argued. The neighbor, according to Boglino, became angry, charged at him and yelled at him to leave the property. Boglino has arthritis in his hands and couldn’t defend himself but pulled a 22-caliber revolver from his pocket. When the neighbor charged a second time, Boglino fired the gun at his midsection.

Florida passed a “stand your ground” law in 2005, expanding on an earlier law that allowed people to use deadly force to defend themselves in their own homes. The 2005 law said you can defend yourself in any place. The jury was instructed to consider that law and to determine if Boglino acted reasonably.

They deliberated less than two hours before returning the not guilty verdict. The neighbor recovered from the gunshot.

Felonies, Violent Crimes

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