An Iowa man who shot and killed another man won't spend anymore time behind bars after being the first person to receive immunity using Iowa's new "Stand Your Ground” law.
Kevin Staley was granted judicial immunity this week for the October shooting in Red Oak that killed Devin Davis. Staley's Attorney, DeShawn Bird-Sell says Staley feared for his life, pulled out a legally concealed weapon and fired on Davis after he and another man ambushed Staley in a dark alley. Bird-Sell says justice was served. “The fact that two individuals attacked Kevin in an alley wearing bandannas and hoodies gives me rise to say I'm going to need to protect myself.”
Davis' family says differently according to his brother Xavier Smith. “Just looking for justice for my brother and I feel like the way they handled this they did not do it right,” said , Devin’s brother.
Staley was scheduled to face a jury trial Tuesday, but a district court judge ruled that the "Stand Your Ground" law applies in this case. Bird-Sell says one of the reasons why this case was heard so late is because the judge had to research whether or not immunity was appropriate. Since this is the first case ruled under the new “Stand Your Ground” law in Iowa, she says this case sets precedent as major history for the state. The law was enacted in July of 2017.