A Clearwater man doesn’t believe “stand your ground” shooter Michael Drejka belongs in jail.
Curt Creelman started a GoFundMe page to raise bail money to spring Drejka, so he can return home.
He is no fan of the current Stand Your Ground law and he thinks it needs to be changed.
Creelman has watched the security camera video of the July 19 shooting, many times.
“I don’t think he should be there to being with in the first place,” he said.
It irks him that Drejka is in jail with a $100,000 bond, so he started the page, asking for donations to bail Drejka out.
“I just felt bad that he was sitting there while we’re trying to figure this thing out as a society, as a community,” said Creelman.
Markies McGlockton’s family doesn’t feel that way.
His girlfriend spoke after Drejka’s first court appearance.
“Now my kids know that the police do got the bad man. I still answering their questions of when daddy is gonna wake up,” said Britney Jacobs.
GoFundMe took down Creelman’s first page and his attempts to put it back up. Comments became racial.
He wants to make it clear, he just wants to spring Drejka until the law is clarified.
“I think by the letter of the law, and the way it exists right now, the way that it’s written, he had the right to defend himself,” he said.
Before GoFundMe took down the bail raising page, it had garnered $236 in donations.
GoFundMe pages for Markies McGlockton’s family show two sites with donations totaling more than $7,500.
Michael Drejka’s attorney, Lysa Clifton, said she plans to request a bond reduction, ask that his ankle monitor not be required and will meet with her client on Wednesday.
The Community Management Team at GoFundMe sent Creelman the following regarding his fundraiser being taken down:
Hello,
Thank you for your patience.
Your campaign is in violation of this line from our Terms & Conditions:
“campaigns deemed by GoFundMe, in its sole discretion, to be in support of, or for the legal defense of alleged crimes associated with hate, violence, harassment, bullying, discrimination, terrorism, or intolerance of any kind relating to race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, sex, gender or gender identity, or serious disabilities or diseases;”
You may use another crowdfunding site for this cause, but it cannot be on GoFundMe.
We have removed your account. Any donations made to your campaign that have not already been withdrawn have been refunded and will be returned to your donors within 3-7 business days.
Regards,
Oliver
Community Management Team
