CLEARWATER, Fla. -- A trial date has been set in the manslaughter case against Michael Drejka, 48, who video shows fatally shooting Markeis McGlockton during a dispute over a parking space on July 19 outside a Clearwater convenience store.
At a Friday hearing, it was decided that the trial will not begin until Aug. 19, 2019.
The next pre-trial hearing in the case is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 22.
An earlier appearance at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 11 has been set to clarify the terms of Drejka's movements about the county since being released on bond. His defense team had asked the judge to allow him to go places more freely because his bond conditions currently prevent him from being near any witnesses. And, with roughly 100 of them, that has proved challenging -- even making it difficult for him to vote.
McGlockton's girlfriend was in court Friday. She and three young children were at the convenience store when he was shot.
The recently-released autopsy report reveals Drejka shot McGlockton once in the left side of the chest with a .40-caliber handgun. The bullet traveled across his body and into the right side of his chest -- never exiting.
Investigative documents have indicated McGlockton was turning away at the time of the shooting.
McGlockton's toxicology results were positive for ecstasy and MDA. Reached by phone and told of the findings, a local toxicology expert told 10News the results suggested the amphetamines had been taken not long before his death -- most likely within the last 24 hours.
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