Man cites Florida law to avoid prosecution

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Oct. 30 (UPI) -- A Florida judge must decide whether the state can try a man who killed an off-duty federal agent after a road-rage incident in 2008, prosecutors said.

James Wonder, a Miramar retiree, contends he is immune from prosecution under Florida's Stand Your Ground self-defense law, The Miami Herald reported Tuesday.

Broward County Circuit Judge Bernard Bober is hearing the case against Wonder who shot and killed Donald Pettit, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent, after an argument.

Wonder, 69, faces up to 15 years in prison if he is charged with manslaughter and convicted.

Police reports said Wonder and Pettit got into a shouting match while driving on Aug. 5, 2008. Both men pulled into a post office parking lot.

When Pettit got out of his car to confront Wonder, he was shot in the head, the report said.