Kevin Gates has filed new court documents in the legal case where he kicked a fan during a performance last year. According to TMZ, the new papers say Gates is using the “Stand Your Ground Law” in defense for his actions.
An 18-year-old woman went to the hospital after the Baton Rouge, Louisiana rapper kicked her from on stage at an August concert in Lakeland, Florida. He was charged for simple battery. The Islah rapper says that the woman was grabbing at his shorts and he gave her a verbal warning to stop. She continued pulling at him, seemingly attempting to pull him off stage. Gates says that by kicking her, he used necessary force to make her stop and to defend himself from danger. He is asking the judge to dismiss the case.
Gates also addressed the incident in his song, “The Truth” and said at a separate time that the woman initiated the confrontation by her actions.
The “Stand Your Ground Law” has garnered much criticism as it has been used as a defense for violent actions. George Zimmerman cited the law in his defense for shooting and killing 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in a Sanford, Florida neighborhood in February of 2012. The neighborhood watchman said that the unarmed teenager attempted to beat him up and he fired his gun because he feared for his life. Zimmerman was acquitted in July of 2013 of second-degree murder and manslaughter charges.
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