NAACP Protests Acquittal Of Glen Burnie Man Who Shot And Killed Alleged Intruder
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- The acquittal of a Glen Burnie man who shot and killed a man the defense claims was an intruder in his home is sparking protest.
Pat Warren reports the Anne Arundel County NAACP says the shooting may have been racially motivated.
A protest Thursday outside the Anne Arundel County courthouse in Annapolis centers on the case of Matthew Pinkerton--a Glen Burnie man acquitted in the shooting death of Kendall Green.
"We want the federal government to look into this," said one protester.
The shooting took place last September at Pinkerton's Glen Burnie home.
"These were people who knew each other and had some relationship prior to this incident occurring," said Lt. T.J. Smith, Anne Arundel County Police.
According to prosecutors, Green was involved with Pinkerton's wife and went to the couple's home to see her. Pinkerton allegedly used a racial slur in confronting Green.
The Arundel NAACP says the case should have been heard by a jury, but Pinkerton was acquitted by the judge.
"We have people out here getting killed every day behind 'stand your ground' laws. And the victims are gone, but the victor is still around with the gun," one protester said.
Pinkerton's attorney tells WJZ his client denies using a slur. He says Green's blood alcohol content was two times the legal limit and he broke into Pinkerton home after being told he needed to leave.
"Kendall Green was involved in committing a serious felony," said Peter O'Neill, Pinkerton's attorney. "The focus on race is misplaced."
But Green's family believes in the interest of justice the government should take a closer look.
"He called my son the n-word, and it needs to go on court record that that is what he said. That is a racial slur, that is a form of hatred," said Felicia Carroll, Green's mother.
In acquitting Pinkerton, the judge ruled the prosecution had not met its burden of proof.
Letters from the NAACP to Maryland members of Congress have been forwarded to the justice department.
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