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Robert Floyd Sentenced To 30 Years For Shooting Brewton Teen
July 26, 2011
A Jay man was sentenced this morning to 30 years in prison for the shooting death of a Brewton teen at a 2010 party. He faced a maximum of life in prison.
Robert Franklin Floyd, 22, was found guilty of second degree murder and discharging a firearm into a moving vehicle in May. Floyd shot into a vehicle occupied by four people on February 27, 2010, killing 18-year old Getyron Lopez Benjamin of Brewton.
Floyd’s 30 year prison sentence, handed down by Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh, includes a 25 year minimum mandatory term. He was also placed on 10 years probation upon his release.
During a bonfire party, a vehicle occupied by four people — Benjamin, Gerald Banton, Timothy Smith and Tiffanie Pate — arrived Floyd’s home on Country Mill Road.
The four people exited the vehicle and got into a verbal altercation with Floyd, according to a statement released by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office the day following the incident.
“Floyd stated that the subjects were there uninvited. Floyd requested that the subjects leave the premises, and words were exchanged between Floyd and the subjects from Brewton. The subjects refused to leave, at which time Floyd allegedly pushed one of the…males and told them once again to leave,” according to Sgt. Scott Haines, spokesperson for the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Floyd told Santa Rosa deputies that the male subject he pushed pulled out a handgun. Floyd he said he retrieved a .243 caliber rifle from his truck, and then he heard gunshots in the direction of the vehicle from Brewton. He also said he saw a muzzle flash coming from their direction.
Banton testified that he revealed a revolver for which he holds a concealed weapons permit. Testimony indicated that he fired the revolver into the air, but not in the direction of Floyd, as they were leaving the party. There were, according to testimony, six shots fired from the vehicle while Floyd fired five.
There were two shots that hit the vehicle, one striking Benjamin in the back seat. He was driven to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton where he was pronounced dead.
Comments
92 Responses to “Robert Floyd Sentenced To 30 Years For Shooting Brewton Teen”
He should have not pushed the young man. He should have called the cops. He was showing off. He started the domino effect that led to this. It’s his fault. Nevertheless, may God bless him and may Gus rest in peace.
The judge was very very fair to Mr. Floyd. He could have easily given him life in prison based on the evidence presented. Gus Benjamin did nothing wrong but attend a party looking to meet new friends. He had no gun. He did not fight with anyone. He ended up shot through the back, killed by a high powered rifle shot to the heart. I don’t think Robbie is the person who got a “raw deal” in this situation. He’ll still has a chance to have some kind of life in the distant future.
so a kid shots a gun while in car while leaving. wonder what would happen if a kid did this by our president or a police officer after there was an argument with either. this guy got a raw deal. seems like the judge is prejidous way i hear.
To The Real Robbie….. Why do you keep bringing up his facebook page?? Robbie’s facebook has nothing to do with this. It doesn’t matter what is on his facebook. Robbie has given his life to GOD. When he did that it erased his whole past. He has a new life. You cannot judge a person by his facebook. Just like don’t judge a book by the cover. If GOD can forgive Robbie and take him in his arms in his time of need, can’t we do the same thing?? Robie is a good person, not a murderer. GOD has Robbie’s case in his hands. He will make sure the best thing is done. To the family of Robbie… We love you and are praying for you. To the Benjamin family… We are so sorry for your loss and are praying for you also.
Wheewww I love living in Jay.
I trust the truth will come out. I see it in my job all the time.
THE REAL ROBBIE……..maybe you need to see the facebook of Gus holding a AK-47 with gang signs. You can talk all you want about Robbie, but the truth will set him free. While the other party is going around Brewton bragging they got away with shooting first. I will just say this there will be an appeal and Robbie will see the brighter days ahead. The time he will be serving for NOW is just a little set back. My heart goes out to Mrs. Benjamin because she is a wonderful lady and her son should not have been the one to catch the bullet. If you ask me it should have been Banton or one of the others that brought them to the party they were NOT invited too. All the evidence will come out in the appeal, that’s a promise. We have been working on an appeal’s lawyer ever since the trial….so we will see who has the last say when the fat lady sings.
This guy will be out with a good lawyer. He’s a hero in my book. This tiffini girl should have stayed in brewton with her thug friend and he would still be alive. Daddy must be real proud of her.
It is a very sad tragic thing that has happened here and there does need to be a change . B ut people can’t just sit around and talk about it, we got to ge off our butts and do something……….If you want to know to trueth about the old saying about Jay,Fl. it goes like this………It’s ok for people of color to come out in the day time , but you better not be caught out after dark or face the concequences.
You can bet the majority of ppl that live in the areas you just spouted off about have a bunch of racists living there.
Yes, racism goes both ways. To say everyone in Jay is a racist is a prejudice statement but to say the town’s racial reputation is based on this one incident is just not true. It goes way back. It’s well known and deeply ingrained in the community. How do we fix that perception? By denying there’s a problem?
To “just curious” I wonder how many white people live in Pensacola Villiage Apartments. I bet you could count them on one hand..Are they racist? I wonder how many white people live in Esacambia Arms? I bet you could count them on one hand..Are they racists?? To judge a community by the ethnic groups that live there is racist in of itself. Stop judging Jay as a community over one incident…
Based on the testimony, it wasn’t proven to be a hate crime but the sad part was that Mr Floyd wouldn’t have been put into a situation that allowed him to do what he did had his friends not been taught to hate African Americans. They wanted them gone, started the confrontation, and put Banton in a fearful position where he felt threatened before Floyd pushed him. Mr Floyd was informed of the presence of the two black men as soon as they arrived and was cool with them being there. That’s not an excuse for Mr Floyd’s actions (he alone committed the murder) but I can’t help but feeling that Gus would still be alive if certain people’s parents didn’t teach their kids to hate.
Wondering how many families of color live in the non-racist community of Jay? I bet one could make that count on one hand? Must be a reason there somewhere….
Now just because there are so few families of color living there doesn’t mean that there is any racist behavior in Jay. I’m sure it’s just a coincidence… right?
LOL yeah no racism in JAY.
The NAACP concluded it was not a hate crime, not that there was no racial prejudice involved. Why blame the community?
Hate is taught to many of us at a young age we must choose to have our own thoughts as we get older. All I know is if this guy shows up at ACI he should check in when the bus arrives by any means necessary. He grew up in jay around people who tought him to hate well…. Prisons are full of young men that hate and ACI is not a place any white man would want to be.
NAACP representative must not have watched the evidence that came out in the trial as it was painfully clear this situation arose out of racial prejudice by Robbie’s “good friends”. Robbie himself said to the detective that night “there’s a lot of racist, prejudice people that live here” when asked what happened. It’s too bad that the leaders of the two communities didn’t take an opportunity to have a frank and honest conversation and condemn the hate and ignorance that was displayed that night at the party publically so this never happens again. Instead, they let the old wound continue to fester by covering it up.
Wow, some of these comments are unbelievable! My heart aches for both families and I pray that all involved find peace. I think that we need to sit back and “think” about the words that we choose & the comments that we make before we publicize them on the internet. We all make mistakes, some are obviously much more serious than others, but we still don’t have the right to pass judgment. A life was lost, I knew Gus when I saw him and he knew me, we weren’t “friends” or “family”, but I know that he has a mother, father, friends and family that mourn for the Gus that was once here to bring a little sunshine to their day. I don’t know Robbie, but what I’ve been able to read on this site is a good indicator that he also has mother, father, friends and family that love him, miss him, and are (rightly so) afraid of the road ahead. Gosh, let’s come together and pray for both families…There are no winners here. What are we gaining by using ugly words and hurtful comments that we KNOW are being read by both families? Come on, let’s rethink our own actions. Prayer is Powerful – - Love and be loved.
I would be willing to bet that there will be an appeal and Robbie will be walking around in Jay in less than 5 years. That is probrably about right for reckless endangerment or manslaughter which he should have been charged with in the first place. Its just a shame that all the others in the car should have to serve time for lying and concealment. After all the girls are just as much to blame, maybe they will learn a little about life and its consequences instead of trying to be hip. These two are pretty offensive to most good people anyway.
I think that so many people can comment about this case and say he is going to appeal the decision, and I hope he does. Because if the people could really see the real Robbie prior to all of this him finding religion, they would see that he’s not the poor innocent boy here. Why don’t they let everyone see his bad ass remarks he had on his Facebook page prior to this night and the shooting. He was your typical redneck boy looking for trouble and nothing more than trying to impress his friends. Let’s reinstate his Facebook page so all can see exactly who he was before he found religion. I hope he is stupid enough to appeal his sentence and show everyone just how religious he is. Because the next time the jury may not go so easy on this young man. He deserves everything he got and more.
i think its a shame that things are going the way they r he should b let out n set FREE..them boys brought guns to his house for a reason to start TROUBLE…id have to say if they came to my house n i ask them to leave n they wouldnt i would have just had to handle things my way to…robbie didnt want the boy to die im sure he aint that kinda person i went to school with him he was a sweet laid bac kinda guy he didnt bother anyone,just like he was doing at his own house when they decited to come pulling up looking for trouble they new they wasnt invited they new it would b trouble ….its not fair now to him that he has to spend the rest of his life behind bars for smthing so stupied it would have been diffrent if it was at the ballpark r in town but they came to his house!!! i hope they can take this bac to court and he can b set FREE ……
This case will challenge the florida judicial system with the complexities of the castle doctrine and a persons right to self defense and issues of trespassing. there are legal cases that will be cited in the appeal that very well may free this man from prison. right or wrong it is going to be a case to follow as we are just now learning more details.
Any time you have guns involved it’s bad. And today’s youth need to put the guns away and stop trying to impress their friends. Yes Gus did wrong maybe for going there uninvited, and yes Robbie did wrong for trying to impress everyone and trying to act like a bad boy in front of his friends. But I’m sick of hearing all of the religious people on here and everywhere sticking up for Robbie. He did wrong period. Had he let the car leave whether they were shooting or not, they were leaving. Robbie would not be in jail now. If you want to be religious that’s fine. What happened to turn the other cheek? Had he done that, instead of trying to act all bad, and trying to impress others, he would be sitting in his house now in Berrydale instead of in a jail cell. Quit blaming. They all were wrong in this case. And now they must pay. Gus paid with his life, and Robbie will have to serve his jail time. He better be thankful that he didn’t get a longer sentence.
God bless the blind and may he listen
Closely to the deaf
How about rest in peace for the young man
who lost he’s life cause of Robbie
Justice has been served
Tiffini White – Do you think you have any responsibility or culpability here? I’m thinking you don’t based on your comments about the Floyd boy only getting 30 years!
None of this would have happened if YOU didn’t come to the party in the first place! Think about that!
Jay resident has it exactly right!! Amen. But I haven’t heard Pate or White or whoever she calls herself now’s opinion on the whole thing. Both of the girls might be better off to change their name anyway!
Tiffani White (Pate) I wouldn’t be so quick to give an opinion on this matter! You are the spark that ignited this whole mess!! You are to blame for your friend’s death. You and your friends came to Jay to start trouble and it ended with lives changed forever. I have lived in Jay all my life and I feel deeply sorry for that boy’s parents at the loss of their son but just as much so for Robbie because his life is also changed forever.You and your friends lied from the beginning about the whole mess.Robbie was only trying to defend himself and his freinds when the first shots fired came from your group of friends but ofcourse ya’ll told at first no one had a gun which was found to be the first lie.So I hope you wake up every morning and go to bed every night knowing YOU are the cause of so many people’s pain. And YOU should be doing the 30 years or life. But even so you have created your own prison because everyone knows who you are and what you have done and that you are truly the one responsible for the whole tragic ordeal!!! Praying Robbie has his rightful day in court and is released! As for you Tiffani White Pate you too shall have your day in a much higher court and the good LORD shall be your judge. I would be asking for alot of forgivness if were you.
TO: Victory In Court!!!
I totally agree with you! It ain’t over till the fat lady sings, God will have his way in this no matter what people say. Robbie is a good fellow and I believe that he is truly a change man and at the time when all this went down I do not belive that he intentionally meant to hurt anyone, if people would start having some respect for other people’s parties/property and just stay at home all of this could have been avoided. But I truly believe that God placed all things in order so that Robbie could truly get himself straight with God. I belive that he is changed and God will take care of him no matter what the out come is. Victory is to the Glory of Jesus!!! I understand that Gus’s mother is a true Christian and didn’t want Robbie to in prison, because she had already lost one son she knew how it felt, I understand that she was seen hugging Robbie’s mother and crying, that is that example that people should follow.
Someone died!!For petes sake. If it were your child killed i bet you would want justice,,leave that family alone. I undersdtand being a mom how you feel when your childs life is in someones hands,trust me,however,that family is dealing with other feelings right now. Their family member is gone,no more sitting at the table,family holidays,,,they have to deal with a empty place,,you can still go visit your family. A crime of hate,and the kids that were their are at fault too. We teach our kids and tell them time and tiume again,but they lead thiere lives and let peer pressure control them then well,,,l;ook what happens.Enough of this story.Dont agree with how long they gave him,,a fwew years in jail is too long,,,less time. Kids dont rerally realize how long they will actually get for things. We need to adjust the time for the crimes,,they have grown in the years. HE lookeed remorseful…so that much should count in his favor..A good lawyer should of worked on getting the time cut and probation when he got out. Id Appeal it.
I love living in jay.
to Law Bieden citizen,
you are completly right no one should get a slap on the wrist for murder, whether it be black or white. You said lets turn it around and see how they would feel. So lets turn it around! say 2 whites dudes come to the hood with 2 blacks girls, they weren’t invited and you ask them to leave. They won’t leave and then they pull out a concealed gun, what would you do? calmly walk in and call the law (I DON’T think SO) Then these same white dudes began to shoot, at what you think is you, I guess you would stay calm, cool, collect and just wait on the law. I hate this boy had to die, I hate the other one is in jail, but it seems to me that no one really cares about that, they just all want to holler about racism. Sounds like to me there was enough FAULT to go around. It is ashame that 100 years of seeking equality has to be throwed down over who is being done wrong.
the last time i check the law murder is murder we r no longer living 1960’s when a white man could kill a black man and only get a slap on the wrist we need face the fact that when u take the law in your on hands u will pay for your crimes so why not call the law and have them removed from the property the only thing else i have 2 say is that if it was the other way around then what would u friends of Robert say then ask yourself that
Time after time, year after year, parents in the Jay area allow parties on their property where alcohol flows and there are many underaged teens in attendance. This incident is a tragedy for both families and lives have been lost/changed forever. Parents wake up!!! Alcohol and teens don’t mix!!! Teens have trouble making good choices when sober; if you add alcohol, choices are even worse. Parents who allow this on their property should be held responsible for the aftermath.
To everyone saying they would do the same, hope you look good in an orange jumpsuit. Do the same thing, get the same results. You can tell all your inmate buddies how right you were.
Other than “asking” an uninvited visitor to leave, I can’t see where anyone did anything right here.
I am really sorry for both families, becaues words, and time we can not recall
Simple questions: If Jay is so racist and is know world wide as being racist why come to a private party with 2 white girls carrying a gun? If you didn’t plan on using that gun why show it? If Jay Hospital treats Blacks so badly why is the waiting room full of blacks? Why did it take over an hour to get him to Brewton Hospital when it’s only a 20 minute drive from the scene? Why hide and lie about the handgun for almost a year if you have a permit to carry it and you didn’t do anything wrong? Why aren’t the people took so long to get him medical attention also accused as well?
Robbie shouldn’t have fired into the car but these others helped kill Gus. Had he recieved medical care right away he may be alive today, they made the choice to let him die by their actions after the fact.
Will everybody please stop with all of the excusees for either party. It is a sad situatin for everyone, and this is not making it any better for either family. PRAY FOR EVERYONE and THEIR FAMILIES. All of this talk back and forth is not going to change this situation. The Lord has a plan for everyone and unfortunately this was his intent.
BREWTON GOON:
GROW UP YOU INMATURE CHILD!
COLOR IS A CRUTCH THAT ALWAYS GETS PLAYED AND SEEMS TO BE A EASY FIT FOR MOST CRIMES.
HATE SOLVES NOTHING AND CERTAINLY WILL NOT BRING BACK MR. BENJAMIN
I PRAY FOR ALL INVOLVED AND HOPE THE COLOR CONFLICT WILL ONE DAY END.
HATE SOLVES NOTHING AND ONLY BRINGS MORE HATE.
WHEN YOU FEED THE BEAST IT ONLY GROWS!
questions to be answered:
1. does the male with a cwp have a florida or alabama permit?
2. does that even matter? not sure if Fl recognizes al permits and vice versa?
3. are charges pending against the person with the cwp as pushing does not qualify as “use of deadly force” I know he did not shoot the other guy but they tell you in class you do not remove your weapon unless you intend to use it and need to protect/defend/deter extreme bodily harm. I do not think pushing is extreme bodily harm
4. Is;nt there a florida statute about firing a gun into the air?
I AM ALL FOR GUN OWNERSHIP AND PERSONAL PROTECTION AND DO NOT CONDONE WHAT HAPPENED HERE. IT IS VERY SAD A YOUNG MAN DIED. THERE ARE MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT REALLY HAPPENED. WE MAY NEVER KNOW THE TRUTH.
First off let me say that I live in the area where this incident took place. I do not know Robbie Floyd nor was anyone close to me at this party. Having said that I want to make the same statement I made right after this incident. ALCOHOL AND GUNS DO NOT MIX.. This is a tragedy and two lives are ruined because of it. This boils down to two individuals making poor choices that resulted in the death of one innocent person and the incararation of another individual. You cannot take the law into your own hands no matter what the circumstances involved. I hope the other people at the party will learn a valuable lesson from this…..
for brewton goon….if Jay is a racist town and always been a racist town, and black aren’t welcome? What was the two black boys there in the first place? They brought a gun, were they expecting trouble? They came to be with the two white girls!! lol Plain and simple! Maybe the white girls should be charged with conspiracy?? You think?? Truth of the matter trashy women are the death to a lot of men?? Anybody should know not to go where they are not wanted unless they are looking for trouble. The girls didn’t care who got hurt.
It was late, it was dark, there was white people in that car, so how can anyone say that he killed one individual on purpose. I understood there was other black people there, so why does this have be a racist thing. So when you say he shot him because he was racist maybe you better look again, maybe your the racist.
Some comments that justify WHY they didn’t go to Jay Hospital seems to leave some unanswered questions – If Jay is so bad that they would not even go to the hospital then why would they go to Jay at all (especially after dark)?
And, once again, for the record, they were firing into the crowd from the “fleeing” vehicle. This is based on testimony provided in the courtroom. Therefore, the vehicle and it’s occupants were a credible threat.
Consider for one brief moment – how would all of you feel if the situation had turned out differently? What if Gerald’s carelessness (firing into the crowd) had actually taken someone’s life?
Thirty years, with a manadatory 25. Hmmmmmm…. That is no where near enough for a person who took another man’s life for some racist reasons. But that’s ok, them BOYS are going to tighten that thing up. Please believe that! They are waiting. He’ll be 47 at least, when he gets out. That’s no where near enough for the family in which this”man” took another person’s life. He’ll be in General population unless he punks out or request and they grant him Protective custody. Everbody is tough when they got a gun.
Robbie you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We’re behind you 100% This verdict was not fair!
WAKE UP PEOPLE on July 26th, 2011 5:41 pm – Yes he did fire the 1st shot IN THE AIR after he was pushed ….They were in a fleeing vechicle trying to leave the scene when he was intentionally SHOT and KILLED (MURDERED). REMEMBER THEY WERE LEAVING THE SCENE AND NO SHOTS WERE FIRED OUT THE VECHILE AFTER THEY WERE TRYING TO LEAVE WITNESS THAT WERE AT THE PARTY TESTIFIED THAT THEY WERE NOT IN ANY DANGER AFTER THE 4 GOT INTO THE VEHICHLE AND TRIED TO LEAVE BUT FLOYD CONTINUED TO FIRE ANYWAY
The only portion of this statement that is based on evidence presented at the trial is that Gerald Banton fired first. Obviously you were not there that night and you must not have attended the trial. You should do some research (maybe read the transcripts) before you get on here stating FACTS.
He should have got a 100 years. Lol. So did Robbie past out invitations to everybody else at the party. They were uninvited be cause they were black. He didnt have to put his hands on the dude when he asked him to leave. Robbie didnt have to go get his rifle and fire at the LEAVING vehicle. Smh. He should of got a 100 years. Lol he is lucky to get 30 years. He must of had a decent lawyer. And for all of u who thinks Robbie did nothing wrong yall need to hook it. Jay is a racist town and always been a racist town. Blacks are not welcome in Jay. Thats why Robbie killed Gus. Only because he was a black guy. Robbie should of got a 100 years.
It is just a sad situation
.One mother has to visit her son in the graveyard,and one has to visit hers in prison.It does not make sense.As for why did they not go to Jay hospital? i can just immagine how 3 or 4 black kids would have been treated there.I went to jay once for an emergency and i would NEVER go there again.I don’t care what is being said,black people are just not welcome in Jay, so i can understand why they went to brewton.I am not saying that Jay Hospital is a bad place,but i have seen the treatment of black people by some of the staff.It made me angry and oh btw befoe someone says anything i am a white person.
My prayers are with both families.
It can not be considered self defense because the persons were retreating and Robbie had the ability to take cover. I too am “from” Jay and know what it is like out there. Although the sentence may seem harsh, his actions were not necessary and caused a teen to die. Whether it will be admitted or not, there are always race issues for anyone that is not white and not known. This is why I will never move back!
Tradegy for sure, in both families for sure. I just hope the “party girls” and we all know who they, feel some responsibility for what happen. Both being from Jay and knowing how Jay is and always has been. I don’t fault Jay at for I believe a community can be or believe how they please. 2011 or 1950…It is what it is. I doubt either girl gave it a second thought…right to the next guy, check out their FB page. I pray each girl thinks about the death of Gus and 30 years Robbie will spend in prison everyday. I doubt they really care. God help us all!!
If the tables would have been turned, white kids busting up black kids party, you wouldn’t have heard a thing about this whole incident They shouldn’t have been there would have been the outcome, and case would have been dropped. Until race becomes a non- factor the white person will always get the short end of the stick simply because of race. That’s my opinion and I am still entitled to it last time I checked.
STUPID comes in all colors and apparently there was plenty for everybody that night. In fact there still seems to be plenty to go around.
The question I have has never been answered why was he taken all the way back to brewton when they could have taken him to jay and got help? seems the others should be charged with manslauaghter for not getting him the help he needed, anyone ever think about that?
@ mopman u are so right. You cannot take the law into your own hands that’s way the Police Dept is for..Why spend taxpayers money on a PD when people can take the law into their own hands? As I mentioned earlier they were not in any danger after they got into vechicle and proceded to leave….His so-called friends testified that they were not in any danger 1. Gus did not shoot the GUN 2.The shot was fired in the AIR!!!!!3.They got into the vechicle and tried to leave4. They were no gunshots fired as they drove away 4.IT WAS NOT SELF DEFENSE when FLOYD SHOT INTO A FLEEING VECHICLE!!!!!!!!!!!
People lets be forreal….Yes he did fire the 1st shot IN THE AIR after he was pushed ….They were in a fleeing vechicle trying to leave the scene when he was intentionally SHOT and KILLED(MURDERED).REMEMBER THEY WERE LEAVING THE SCENE AND NO SHOTS WERE FIRED OUT THE VECHILE AFTER THEY WERE TRYING TO LEAVE WITNESS THAT WERE AT THE PARTY TESTIFIED THAT THEY WERE NOT IN ANY DANGER AFTER THE 4 GOT INTO THE VEHICHLE AND TRIED TO LEAVE BUT FLOYD CONTINUED TO FIRE ANYWAY AND THAT TESTIMONY IS OBVIOUSLYIS WHAT CONVICTED HIM AND SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS..JUST LIKE ANY EARLIER PERSON SAID IF SOMEONE BROKE INTO YOUR HOME BUT RAN WHEN U GOT UP AND U CHASED HIM OUT OF YOUR YARD AND SHOT THAT PERSON DOWN THE ROAD AS HE WAS FLEEING THE SCENE YOU WOULD PROBABLY BE CONVICTED AS WELL BECAUSE YOU WERE NO LONGER IN DANGER IF THAT PERSON STARTS TO FLEE THE SCENE…FLOYD PARENTS CAN VISIT HIM,TALK TO HIM ON THE PHONE,TOUCH HIM, AND ETC BUT GUS PARENTS HAS TO VISIT A CEMENTARY CAN NO LONGER SEE HIS FACE, TOUCH HIM, PLAY WITH HIS KIDS THAT HE WOULD HAVE HAD.OR ANYHTING LIKE THAT SO MAY BLESSING GOES OUT TO THE DECEASED FAMILY AND 30 YEARS FOR TAKING SOMEONE’E LIFE ….
WOW WHERE THEY DO THAT AT? 30 YEARS WILL NEVER EVER REPLACE SOMEONE’S LIFE I THINK HE SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN LIFE WITH NO POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE SO HE CAN THINK ABOUT WHAT HE DID!!!!!!
Some say justice was served today and for u that maybe true… Some say that Robbie didnt deserve the 30 yrs he got… But I only care about the person who lost his life to something that was so senseless… In 30 yrs Mr.Benjamin wont be able to wake up dust his self off and start his life over!!!! People should be praising GOD that in about 25 yrs Robbie can start his life over again…. He will still be young enough to get a job and start a family!!!! I hope that everyone has learned something from this. If u get nothing from this please know that wrong is wrong no matter how u cut it!!!! My prayers go out to Benjamin family that u may have peace now… Also my prayers go out to Robbie for strength!!! May GoD bless u all!!!!! All the negative comments from both side does not mk the situation any better for either family!!!!! Just my thoughts about the situation!!!!
This verdict could have easily gone either way. As a responsible gun owner, I know better than to engage a retreating threat … especially if I was the initial aggressor. On the other hand, I would be inclined to return fire if said threat was indiscriminately firing in my direction while retreating (provided I TRULY felt my life was in danger). This one has a fine line folks and the judicial system ran it’s course. I feel bad for all parties.
Correct me if im wrong…but its my understanding that the guy that showed the firearm and discharged the firearm is still alive. Gus whom Robbie shot was unarmed. Unless i read wrong then how can any of you claim self defense?
I don’t care if your in Jay, in a black community, if your white, black yellow or red you do not go to someone else’s house and start trouble. Plus if Jay is so known to be so racial, then why would you go there to start with and especially with a gun. Apparently they weren’t to scared.There is no way that a black community would want a group of white kids to come on their property, pull a gun, even if you do have a gun permit. The first time you ever use a gun permit to push your presents onto someone else’s property, then that should be out the window. It breaks my heart that anyone had to be hurt, but I am so sick of all this racist talk. It makes me sick on both sides. If all this was reversed I wonder what would have happen
Wondering if trespassing charges have been filed on the 3 remaining people who went to the party uninvited?
REGARDING:
“Here is a man convicted and sentenced to 30 years in a case of obvious self-defense, while Casey Anthony is acquitted.”
Which of the two was proven regarding the time, place, manner of killing in front of a number of witnesses?
If self defense were so obvious, wouldn’t the jury have acquitted, would the state’s attorney have even bothered to charge in the first place? If somebody actually is shooting from among a crowd, is it okay to shoot into that crowd in hopes of hitting the hitter?
David the forgetful and curious
The instigator (The Girl) of this incident was in more wrong than anyone. Second, were the thugs who shot first out of that car. Remember the facebook page of benjamin…the filth on there. Not your innocent bunch of boys..but THUGS. All of those boys could have easily been the ones going to prison for shooting Floyd. A million and one chance he even hit Benjamin. The good-old boy policy may not be the best, but the THUG policy isn’t either. They should have kept their butts in Brewton.
Such a tradgedy, but Tiffani White, if the shoe was on the other foot would you want to wish his family the WORST? I think not. Just remember words are only words and you can keep running that mouth with them it wont bring Gus back, if you wanna wish someone the worst why dont you start with the people that braught him to the party, But let me guess who want do that will YOU?
@Doc…..it was a black boy who got shot , everyone knows black people aren’t welcome in Jay after dark……………Hello………..
to all the people who agree with how Mr. Floyd handled this situation…….how dumb are you???…….no matter what you cannot fire a gun into a fleeing vehicle……..when all of you try this you will be up the creek also……..you gotta have some common sense……….some of you are missing that!!!
If you come to my property uninvited to start a fight…. I would do the same to protect myself and my family…Just saying.
@mopman 22
Excuse me…if a group of people come to my property uninvited like these folks did…the outcome would probably be the same. Look at the facts.
- A group of 4 people come to the party uninvited….knowing they were uninvited and there only to start trouble.
- Were asked to leave and refused.
- THEY pulled a weapon first…yes after he was pushed….but still they pulled a weapon.
- Robert then retrieved a weapon to DEFEND himself and others at the party.
- He did NOT fire his weapon until AFTER they did. They were firing a weapon out of the vehicle.
- I would do the same as Robert and fire back…I’m not going to sit around and try to figure out were they were shooting.
- Robert was the one who called the keeps…not the trouble makers or the friends of the deceased.
I don’t have any idea of who Robert Floyd is…or who anyone involved is…only a spectator looking in. However, I personally feel Mr. Floyd was 100% justified in what he did. If I was on the jury I would of let him go, and instead charged the people that were in the car with the deceased.
WHATEVER – you are absolutely correct. Choices have consequences – and the choices made by several people are what cost Gus’ life. DEEP SOUTH SURVIVAL – You must be confused. They were in the vehicle, but they were firing from the occupied vehicle, therefore the occupants of the vehicle were a credible threat. And they were in no hurry to leave. I say this because if they were then they would have had plenty of time to be gone before Robbie returned with his rifle.
I wish that you all would consider the fact that there were decisions made that night by several people that led up to this tragic ending. Several people made choices that night – Gus being one of them.
What’s so hard to understand??? He shot 5 times at an occupied vehicle, hitting it twice, and killing one person. He could have killed them all.
Two black guys surrounded by who knows how many that didn’t want them there. Robbie gets mad and shoves one. Don’t know about you… I’d be scared enough to pull a gun to try to get away. Robbie escalated it on “his” property. Robbie took the law into his own hands. Tons of witnesses. He’s lucky he got 30 years.
you do the CRIME, you should do the TIME… rather it was a mistake or not he KILLED someone ! god bless both families….
I have a hard time understanding the logic of Florida jurors. Here is a man convicted and sentenced to 30 years in a case of obvious self-defense, while Casey Anthony is acquitted. Florida is quickly replacing California as the laughing stock of the nation when it comes to stupid jury verdicts. Does not the trial judges in Florida properly explain the law and the definitions of self-defense and reasonable doubt to the jurors? Or are these jurors really that ignorant? I don’t personally know this young man, but my heart goes out to him. This case was racially charged and he was most likely convicted because of that fact. I love Florida, but it appears there needs to be some major changes in the state’s judicial system.
Robert or no one has the right to fire shots in a occupied vehicle people you cannot take the law into your own hands. Get the license plate number call the police and let them handle it, That’s the whole problem he didn’t want to be embarrassed by his friends so he took action in his own hand, now he’s gotta pay for is inmaturity.
If someone is leaving the scene of an altercation, no matter what the altercation, YOU CANNOT SHOOT THEM AS THEY ARE TRYING TO LEAVE!!! On top of that, there were three other people in the car with the deceased, and I am sure that not all of them was armed. What if one of the girls in the car had been shot? Justice has been served. The time fits the crime.
If someone was armed trying to break in my house, and I catch them, but they run away, and I shoot them in the back as they flee, I am in the same boat as this boy.
Look, if it was such a “gotta protect mine” situation, why were they already leaving before he shot. From what I understand, someone flashed a pistol, people got in the car to leave, someone got shot through the trunk of the car. If it was a “protection reaction” then shouldn’t the guy who flashed the pistol been shot IMMEDIATELY? Why wait till a car full of people are leaving to start shooting?
30 years? He will never make it. There might not even be a USA in 30 years.
All of these comments is pathetic. If the shoe was on the other foot you wouldn’t be talking about it being sad you being saying it’s good they gave him 30 years but it just shows that racism still exist. A boy lost his life over unnecessary garbage and your talking about how sad it I’d that Robert got 30 years. So what!!! But he is still alive and well and they other party is six feet under. Now which one is really more sad. Robert had a chose and he choose to do the wrong thing he chose to shoot instead of calling the police so now he know if he didn’t now before that chooses have consequences and his was 30 years. Sorry
There is no way this kid should go to prison. He should have held his fire until he knew he or his friends were taking fire, but when someone on your own property displays a firearm and then begins firing it they’ve just opened Pandora’s Box.
He was guilty of inexperience, less than perfect judgement, but self defense isn’t a crime and someone running or driving away while firing at you (I guess that’s what he thought) can kill you just the same as someone coming toward you or remaining stationary.
I hope the family can afford an appeal. I hope he can get out and move on. This doesn’t sound right at all.
AT TIFFANI I AGREE WITH YOU COMPLETELY …..TO THE FAMILY OF THE DECEASED MAY GOD BLESS YOU….THIS SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN HANDELED DIFFERNTLY AND IT WOULD HAVE HAD A DIFFERNT OUTCOME.@ GILR IMAGINE IF THIS WAS YOUR SON HOW WOULD YOU FEEL? JUST BECAUSE YOU GET INTO A VERBAL ARGUMENT DOES NOT MEAN YOU HAVE TO LOOSE YOUR LIFE!!!!!
All robbie had to do was call the cops, instead he pushed the guy…everything escalated from there..JUSTICE WAS SERVED!!!!
Maybe people in this society will learn now that you can’t always have your way in everything.
I would like to start of by saying, Mrs. Benjamin – God Bless you. With that being said, Mr. Benjamin – hopefully one day God will give you peace and understanding. I pray that one day you will understand that Robbie is not the only one to blame for the series of events that took place that unfortunate night. Robbie is not the only one that should be held accountable for the tragic events that unfolded. You should reflect on the facts of the case and you will see that there were bad decisions made by many people that night. If, should have , could have, would have, and all of the hatred that you hold will never bring Gus back. Many lives have been changed since that tragic night. I wish that you would briefly consider the situation if the roles were reversed and it was your son that was still alive. Now, consider this – Gus and Gerald on trial for their actions. You see, sir, if the roles were reversed your son could have been charged as a principle due to the simple fact that the people that he accompanied chose not to retreat. The point that I am trying to make is this – although your son was shot and killed – anyone that was present that night could have been shot and killed by Gerald. Sir, his actions are a direct reflection of poor judgement also. So, at least be fair and try to understand that your son and his friends were also guilty of poor judgement. God Bless you and your family..
If someone brought a gun to my house and threatened me with it, I would have done the same thing. What happened to stand your ground. To protect yourself and your property? Not fair!
There’s no point in pointing fingers and putting the blame on Robbie, or Gus. Either way, both of them are having to suffer. Gus lost his life, and Robbie is having to spend most of his life in prison. And their families are suffering as well. I pray for both families, and hope that God can help both families in this time of need in their lives.
He should have not got any time at all. You bring a gun to someone else’s property and show it to threaten people. Then of course you will probably get shot. I hope the appeal goes well for you Robbie.
YOUR FRIEND WITH THE OTHERS WAS NOT INVITED TO THE PARTY, SORRY HE WAS TAKEN TO SOON, MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GOES OUT TO THE FAMILY. 30 YEARS IS MORE THAN ENOUGH, ROBBIE WILL NOT HAVE LIFE OUT HERE, WHILE ALL THE OTHERS GET TO SLEEP IN THERE OWN BEDS DO THERE OWN THING HE WILL SERVE FOR THE CRIME HE IS COMMITED FOR. THE OTHERS ARE OFF SCOTT FREE!!!!!!! NOTHING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IS FAIR TO ANYBODY. LET’S JUST GET ONE THING STRAIGHT HERE BOTH PARTIES ARE RESPONSABLE FOR THE DEATH OF YOUR FRIEND, 1 IF YOUR FRIENDS WOULD HAVE STAYED HOME THEN MAYBE HE WOULD STILL BE HERE TODAY. 2 IF YOUR FRIEND HAD NOT SHOW UP WITH A GUM THEMSELVES THEN MAYBE YOUR FRIEND WOULD STILL BE HERE. 3. IF YOUR FRIENDS WOULD HAVE LEFT THEN AND NEVER GOT PHYSCIAL THEN MAYBE YOUR FRIEND WOULD STILL BE HERE TODAY. 4. IF ROBBIE HAD NOT BEEN THREATHEN AND TRYIGN TO PROTECT HIS HOME AND FRIENDS THEN MAYBE YOUR FRIEND WOULD STILL BE HERE TODAY. IT WAS NOT AN INTENTIONAL KILL, HE DIDN’T PICK HIM OUT AND JUST SHOOT HIM. HE WAS JUST RETURNING WHAT WAS GIVEN TO HIM. SO 30 YEARS IS MORE THAN ENOUGH, MS, WHITE!!!!
What a shame Robert got 30 years. He was having the party. People show up – uninvited and their presence unwanted. He asks them to leave. They don’t and pick a fight. Finally do leave, firing shots back at Robert. Robert protects his life and property by firing shots in their general direction. Instead of going to a local hospital (who might have been able to save their friends life, the driver goes to Brewton Hospital). Benjamin dies. Robert is convicted and gets 30 years. WHAT A SHAME!
30 years? he killed my friend, gus, and all he got was 30 years??? whats really going on!!!once again the judicial system FAILS! he deserves LIFE. he took a life in a SENCELESS manor, now we should take HIS LIFE! and put him behind bars, FOR LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and wish him the worst to come.
Another case of “I have a permit so I’ll show you” then fired shots as they were leaving. I guess I’m dumb—but if I’m ask to leave a private party I’ll leave with out having a shoving match and firing a gun. Sorry for all of the families and friends of both young fellows.
Keeping your family and loved ones in thoughts and prayers Robbie.. You will make it through this, just keep your head up..
I have always wondered,, why didn’t they drive him to Jay hospital instead of driving all the way to Brewton??? Unless they had something to hide….
I would like to THANK everyone that came out to fill the courtroom this morning in support of Robbie. It just goes to show you that he is a inspirational person and has many that love him. The sentence was a blessing from GOD and his life has not been lost. He is prepared for what is ahead and has great faith. And let’s not forget that the judge did say that we have 30 days to file for an appeal……so we all shall see what lies ahead!
Praying that you get a new lawyer who knows what he’s doing this time around. My thoughts and prayers are with you and with your family!
I am really surprised that Robert Floyd was convicted. It sounds like the men came to the party to cause trouble. If that was trespassing with criminal intent, then the rest of the people in the car would seem more likely to be held liable for the felony then the one who responded.
Tough to know what really happened that night, sure wish (for the sake of all involved) that it did not.
It is so sad that one young man lost his life and another ruined his in a moment of sensless anger..
This is a tragedy , two lives lost. I hope alot of people learn from this.