Florida woman avoids prosecution after killing Army veteran under stand-your-ground law
Melissa Payne shot and killed veteran Bart Diguglielmo in a North Lauderdale Walmart parking lot, and prosecutors say she faces no charges because Florida’s stand-your-ground law deems her actions self-defense.
On June 30, 62-year-old retired staff sergeant Bart Diguglielmo was killed outside a Walmart in North Lauderdale, Florida. The shooter, Melissa Payne, was briefly detained but released after claiming she was protecting herself. The Broward County state attorney announced that under the state’s stand-your-ground statute, Payne is immune from prosecution, so no charges will be filed.
Why it matters
The case highlights how Florida's stand-your-ground law can protect shooters from prosecution, sparking policy debate.
In this story
stand your groundshootingWalmart parking lotself-defenseFlorida lawBart DiguglielmoMelissa PayneBroward County
