Manslaughter Charge Sparks Michigan ‘Stand Your Ground’ Debate After Teen Killed In Man’s Garage

AMichiganmanisfacingmanslaughterchargesafterfatallyshootinga17-year-oldwho,alongwithsixothers,allegedlybrokeintohisgarageintheearlyhoursofJuly8,reignitingcontroversyoverMichigan’s“StandYourGround”law. DaytonKnapton,24,wasalertedbyhishomesecuritysystemaround1a.m.and,armedwitha.9mmhandgun,allegedlyfiredtwoshotsthroughawindowlessgaragedoor,strikingSivanWilson,17,accordingtoauthorities. Asthegroupfled,Knaptonreportedlyfiredfivemoreshots,thenreloadedandreturnedoutside.Wilsonlatersuccumbedtohisinjuries,andanotherteenagerinthegroupwasshotintheleg. “Therightstoownfirearmsandprotectone’sfamilyandhomearefundamental.Thoseimportantrightsalsocomewithprofoundresponsibility,”saidOaklandCountyProsecutorKarenMcDonald.“Ourofficeworkedcloselywithlawenforcementtoreviewtheevidence,includingtheobviousmitigatingfactors,whichledustothesecharges.Webelievetheevidencedemonstratesthisdefen