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Judge Denies ‘Stand Your Ground’ Defense for Kevin Gates
LAKELAND — A judge on Thursday rejected a motion by rapper Kevin Gates that a misdemeanor battery charge against him be dismissed. Lawyers for Gates argued last week that the charge against him for kicking a fan at a club in Lakeland during a performance should be dropped based on Florida’s “stand your ground” law. But County Judge Sharon Franklin wrote that Gates’ kick was not a justified action in response to Miranda Dixon grabbing his shorts twice. “While a simple act of touching or pushing someone without his or her consent may amount to simple battery, the Court finds that such a minor act does not necessarily rise to such…


