CLEARWATER, Fla. – Florida’s “stand your ground” law has made national headlines yet again after Michael Drejka shot and killed Markeis McGlockton outside of a Clearwater Circle A convenience store.
Here's a look at the events that have unfolded since the July 19 shooting:
Sept. 25, 2018: Documents support prosecutors' previous claim that Markeis McGlockton was backing up and turning away from Michael Drejka when Drejka shot him outside a Clearwater convenience store.
Sept. 24, 2018: The man accused of fatally shooting Markeis McGlockton on July 19 outside the Circle A convenience store in Clearwater bonded out of jail.
Michael Drejka posted 10 percent of his $100,000 bond, sources say.
Sept. 18, 2018: The wife of Michael Drejka spoke publicly for the first time since her husband was charged with manslaughter.
In an exclusive interview with 10News anchor Reginald Roundtree, Drejka's wife expressed her love for her husband and a feeling of helplessness as she grapples with the reality her husband is behind bars.
Aug. 31, 2018: The man at the center of the Clearwater shooting that sparked a nationwide debate over Florida’s "stand your ground" law spoke with 10News anchor Reginald Roundtree.
From jail, Michael Drejka sat down with Roundtree for his first interview. You watch the full interview and read the full transcript here.
Aug. 23, 2018: A judge has refused to lower the bond for Michael Drejka.
The attorneys for Drejka had filed a motion to reduce his bond. But, Judge Joseph Bulone ruled $100,000 was a reasonable bond considering the facts of the case.
Bulone made a point to tell those in the court that it was not a "stand your ground" hearing.
Aug. 17, 2018: Michael Drejka formally pleaded not guilty to manslaughter, according to court records.
Records show Drejka has waived his right to an arraignment hearing and entered a not guilty plea.
Aug. 16, 2018: The Florida Bar opened a solicitation investigation into attorney Lysa Clifton, who is one of three lawyers representing Michael Drejka.
Public logs showed Clifton went to visit Drejka at the Pinellas County Jail, where she said he agreed to have her represent him.
Bar rules prohibit lawyers from soliciting clients with whom they do not have prior relationships -- at least unless certain conditions are met.
“At this point, I have not received a complaint," Clifton said in response. "But, just like alleged criminals have attorneys, attorneys have attorneys. So, I’m not afraid of any accusations to come because I didn’t violate any ethical rules.”
Aug. 15, 2018: Three lawyers will represent Michael Drejka: Lysa Clifton, Bryant Camareno and John Trevena.
Aug. 14, 2018: Michael Drejka made his first court appearance via video conference.
The judge ordered that, if Drejka decided to bond out of jail, he cannot have any contact with Markeis McGlockton's family.
Aug. 13, 2018: The State Attorney has finished a review of the fatal Clearwater shooting and decided to charge Michael Drejka with manslaughter.
Detectives arrested Drejka on a warrant on Monday, Aug. 13.
Drejka was booked in the Pinellas County jail and his bond was set at $100,000.
"I support the State Attorney's decision and will have no further comment as the case continues to work its way through the criminal justice system," Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said in a statement.
Aug. 8, 2018: Faith leaders and the family of Markeis McGlockton rallied in Tallahassee and said their reason was that the "stand your ground" law had a negative impact on the poor and on minorities.
Several state leaders – including Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum – marched to Gov. Rick Scott’s office at the Capitol and attempted to get an audience with the governor or senior administration officials. Scott was in Colombia.
Aug. 7, 2018: Democratic state lawmakers are asking the 160 members of the Florida Legislature to say whether or not they want to hold a special session to consider amending or repealing the state's "stand your ground" law.
Secretary of State Ken Detzner will officially poll legislators, according to State Rep. Kionee McGhee.
A "yes" vote by three-fifths of the Legislature would result in a special session. But, Republicans rejected a similar request in 2013.
Pinellas County commissioners unanimously passed a resolution asking state lawmakers to clarify, and even consider changing parts of the "stand your ground" law.
Aug. 6, 2018: Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri dismissed Rev. Al Sharpton's appearance at St. John Primitive Baptist Church in Clearwater.
"It's just a bunch of rhetoric," Gualtieri said. "I didn't pay much attention to it to tell you the truth. I wasn't there and don't really care what Al Sharpton has to say. Go back to New York. Mind your own business."
Aug. 5, 2018: Rev. Al Sharpton led a rally at the St. John Primitive Baptist Church in Clearwater. The rally called for justice in McGlockton's shooting death.
Sharpton said to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, "Lock up shooter Michael Drejka or give up your badge."
Florida's Democratic gubernatorial candidates also spoke at the rally, which included Former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, Winter Park businessman Chris King, Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene & Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum.
Aug. 1, 2018: The Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office received the case of a fatal shooting outside a Clearwater convenience store that has become the center of controversy over Florida's "stand your ground" law.
July 31, 2018: Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri again cited the state's "stand your ground" law for why law enforcement couldn't arrest Michael Drejka.
He said the sheriff's office was in the process of turning the case over to the state attorney's office.
Two groups set to join Gualtieri, the NAACP and the Upper Pinellas County Ministerial Alliance, bowed out of the news conference at the last minute.
July 30, 2018: Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow PUSH Coalition vowed to take their fight to the polls, vowing to only vote for candidates in November planning to repeal Florida’s controversial law.
July 29, 2018: Prominent civil rights leader Al Sharpton announced he plans to rally for Markeis McGlockton.
July 28, 2018: Friends and family gathered at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Largo to remember Markeis McGlockton.
Watch: Markeis McGlockton laid to rest
July 26, 2018: Civil rights attorney Ben Crump was hired to represent Markeis McGlockton's family in the Clearwater deadly shooting case. Crump represented the family of Trayvon Martin, the Sanford teenager shot and killed in 2012 by George Zimmerman.
Crump called on Florida Attorney General Bernie McCabe for "simple justice" for McGlockton's family.
July 25, 2018: Crump announced he would represent the Markeis McGlockton's girlfriend, Britany Jacobs. She was McGlockton's girlfriend for nine years.
Rep. Ben Diamond, D-St. Petersburg, said he's pushing for changes to Florida's "stand your ground" law.
While he wouldn't go so far to say he'd pursue a full repeal of the controversial law, Diamond said he would like to undo changes made to the law last year, shifting the burden of proof from defendants who invoke the law as grounds to dismiss charges to prosecutors.
Two former state representatives from the Tampa Bay area said they didn't imagine the law would be a consideration of law enforcement in the deadly Clearwater shooting when they voted for it in 2005.
July 24, 2018: The family of Markeis McGlockton said he was a good son and father.
July 23, 2018: Michael Drejka is also apparently no stranger to confrontation at the same Circle A convenience store, according to the store's owner.
The owner said Drejka and Markeis McGlockton were regular customers.
July 22, 2018: Protesters gathered at the Circle A store on Sunset Point in Clearwater to express their frustration on how the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office handled the case.
July 20, 2018: The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office released video of the argument between Drejka and McGlockton over a parking spot outside of a Clearwater Circle A convenience store.
It shows within four seconds of being pushed to the ground, Drejka fires.
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Watch raw video: Pinellas County Sheriff's Office releases surveillance video of convenience store shooting
July 19, 2018: Michael Drejka shot and killed Markeis McGlockton in an argument over a parking spot. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri didn’t arrest Drejka, citing Florida’s “stand your ground” law.
Florida law: Chapter 776, justifiable use of force
Mark Bergin is a journalist with 10News WTSP. Like him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter and Instagram. You can also email him at mbergin@wtsp.com.
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