Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 12-22-17

Local
Murder Suspect Claims Stand Your Ground Defense
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Shortly after midnight on January 5, 2015, 18-year-old Lyfe Coleman was shot in the front yard of his home. The suspect fled the scene and the teenager later died at a local hospital.
His death was the first murder investigated by the Tampa Police Department in 2015. Detectives investigat- ing the case arrested Regi- nald Bowman, on November 30, 2016, nearly two years after the murder.
On Monday, Bowman ap- peared at a hearing where he admitted shooting Coleman. However, he is claiming that the shooting was in self-de- fense. His attorneys are ask- ing Circuit Judge Kimberly Fernandez to allow the “Stand Your Ground” law as a defense. Judge Fernan- dez is expected to issue a written ruling in the case.
Bowman, 22, is slated to stand trial on the second-de- gree murder charge next month.
Bowman said in court that Coleman had contacted him through Facebook about the purchase of a gun. The sale price of the gun was $150.
B0wman claims that the two of them became engaged in an argument that led to a physical confrontation.
He further said both men fell to the ground and the gun was thrown onto the front lawn. Bowman said he grabbed the gun and looked back and saw Coleman charging at him. He said he pointed the gun and fired once, but Coleman kept coming and he fired a second time.
Bowman said he ran after
LYFE COLEMAN
firing the gun, never knowing if he had hit Coleman.
However, witnesses told a different story.
Bowman is claiming that he was in fear of his life when he shot Coleman.
The controversial “Stand Your Ground” law means that a person in fear of his life does not have to run away. That person can use deadly force to protect himself from great bodily harm or death.
In June of this year, Gov- ernor Rick Scott signed an updated version of the “Stand Your Ground” bill into affect. The updated law places the burden of proof on the prose- cution instead of the defense. When contacted by the Sen- tinel, LIFE Malcolm Cole- man, father of Lyfe Coleman said in an email,
REGINALD BOWMAN ... Charged with murder
“ASA Courtney Derry did a masterful job at exposing the holes in Bowman’s fictive story regarding shooting and killing my son. I am glad Reginald Cortez Bow- man, IV, finally admitted he murdered my son. It’s too bad he continues to lie about the circumstances though.
“Reginald Cortez Bow- man, IV’s, refusal to admit that he murdered Lyfe Lazarus Coleman on Jan- uary 5, 2015, demonstrates his insensitivity towards my family, and his remorseless- ness for his offense against our community.
“Bowman was not de- fending himself against my son when he murdered him. I’m hopeful the truth will pre- vail, in the judge’s ruling,” Coleman said.
Tampa High School Basketball Standout Ronald Long Laid To Rest In Houston
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Back in the early 1960s, the name Ronald Long was among those whose names went down in sports history. Following on the heels of the 1962 Middleton High School championship basketball team, Long was a much more visible player, standing on the shoul- ders of what his previous team- mates had done.
Long, who had left for col- lege, made his home in Texas after high school. He departed this life at his home in Hous- ton, Texas on November 18, 2017. He was 72 years old. Services for Mr. Long were held in Houston.
Long was a 1963 graduate of Middleton High School. He was a member of the basketball team coached by William O. “Bill” Bethel. As a matter of fact, family members say, “Coach Bethel was instru- mental in Long’s decision to begin his (higher education) life at Texas Southern Univer- sity (TSU). He continued his pursuit in the sport as a basket- ball player for TSU.”
Long completed his educa- tion at Texas Southern by earn- ing a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Industrial Education in 1967. From there, he was employed by Humble Oil and Refining.
Twelve years later, he opened R. J. Long Automotive and was an entrepreneur for 22 years. He was asked by Mrs. Daisy Maura, Principal of
RONALD LONG ...Played basketball at Middle- ton under Coach Bethel
Sterling High School, to share his expertise as an instructor in Auto Mechanics. This opportu- nity allowed him to share his love of basketball with the young men he taught and coached. While in the Houston Independent School District and being the sports enthusiast that he was, Ronald soon be- came Assistant Director at Bar- nett Stadium.
Long was the son of Mrs. Maude Graham Long and Rev. Cecil (C. J.) Long, both of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Allen and sister, Helen.
His survivors are: wife, Frankie Jackson Long; daughter, Toni Long Mar- shall (Ray), grandchildren, Amber and Katelyn Mar- shall; a sister-in-law, Judy Jackson, Washington, D. C.; and many other relatives and friends.
PAGE 10-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017