TALLAHASSEE, FL (October 29, 2019) - Wctv.tv writes that the Florida State University Police Department arrested a 36-year-old man after reports of a robbery that took place this week in the early morning. The robbery happened in front of Gilchrist Hall.
Police say that they responded to reports of a robbery at the dormitory and arrested the suspect. The man is now facing charges for “robbery with a weapon, aggravated battery using a deadly weapon and attempted kidnapping.” The suspect has no connection to the FSU.
The authorities say that the man used a knife when he took the victim’s phone out of their pocket and told them to leave with him. The suspect then fled, jumped into a parked car, and drove away from the scene. The police alerted the surrounding agencies and provided a description of the man and the vehicle. The car was found abandoned near the main campus a short while later, and the suspect was then located and brought into custody without an incident. The suspect is now being held at the Leon County Jail. The victim’s phone was still on the suspect and was recovered by the police.
Aggravated Battery Laws in Florida
Aggravated battery is considered a second-degree felony. In order for a suspect to be convicted of this crime, the prosecutor must prove that the person committed a battery by intentionally touching or striking the victim against that person’s will while using a deadly weapon. Deadly weapons are any object that is likely to cause great bodily harm or death when used in an attack. Guns are an obvious example, as are knives, but even an object such as a car could be considered a deadly weapon if it is used to attack someone. Something like a baseball bat could be considered a deadly weapon if it were used against a victim in a way that could produce severe bodily harm or death, or if the suspect threatened to use the object for those purposes.
Aggravated battery with a deadly weapon is considered a second-degree felony in Florida. A first time offender who commits this crime can face up to fifteen years in prison. When a suspect is a repeat offender with previous violent crimes, then the penalty is likely to be more severe.
There are possible defenses for individuals accused of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. For instance, a suspect can claim self-defense, defense of others, mutual fighting, lack of intent, and stand your ground. Each element must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. It may be possible to secure a plea deal from the prosecutor, which could greatly reduce the crime that the individual is charged with and limit the consequences of the sentence. An experienced criminal defense attorney can counsel the defendant on the best strategy for defending against these allegations and the chances of reaching a deal that would lower the charges.