MIDDLEBURG, Fla. -- A Clay County family is closely watching developments in Tallahassee with Florida's Stand Your Ground law.
"I watch all the coverage of the Martin case and pray for that family," said Patricia Pickett.
She is the mother of Buddy Pickett, a 32-year-old man who was shot and killed in 2008 by his neighbor and friend of 10 years, Jonathan Williams.
"I think it's sorry he gets to live when he took my son's life."
In January 2008, Buddy Pickett sent two of his children to Williams' home to collect a $35 debt. Williams wouldn't pay, so Pickett went to Williams' home himself. That's when an argument ensued and Williams fired two shots, one of which pierced Pickett's lungs.
Williams was convicted of murder, and sentenced to serve nearly 20 years in prison. Three weeks ago, a Clay County judge overturned his conviction under the Stand Your Ground law. Williams' attorneys tell Action News their client felt threatened, and used force to protect himself.
"The Stand Your Ground law is OK for people who are protecting their rights," said Pickett, "but he wasn't protecting his rights."
Patricia Pickett acknowledges tension was building between her son and Williams in the month's prior to Buddy's death, but she never imagined her son would die, or that Williams would be out of jail just five years later.
"I feel like he ain't paying for my son's death."
With the murder conviction now off the table, Williams posted bond for an additional charge of aggravated battery in December. One of his bullets hit a teen girl that day, who was also standing in the yard. That case was also overturned last month, and is now in the hands of an appellate court.
Pickett says she plans to follow that case intently, and appear in court for every hearing, even though Williams will never serve another day in prison for the death of her son.
"I think the justice system sucks. I really do."
If Williams is granted a new aggravated battery trial, it could begin in six to eight months. If not, he will serve another 20 years behind bars. A pretrial hearing is set for Feb. 4.
