Prosecutors have dropped murder charges against two cousins from Ocala who were arrested earlier this month in connection with a shooting incident that claimed the life of a 21-year-old man.
In a court filing on January 12, Assistant State Attorney Amy B. Berndt stated that the state will not pursue first-degree murder cases against 20-year-old Jaden Burton and 23-year-old Kamrun Oshea Goffe since both men would have a “valid legal claim of self-defense at trial.”
According to court records, a “thorough review of the evidence, including video evidence” led to the dismissal of all charges against Burton and Goffe. They were subsequently released from Marion County Jail on January 12, six days after they were arrested in connection with the shooting death of 21-year-old Patrick “PJ” Stanley, Jr.
The incident occurred on Saturday, January 6, in the 2200 block of SW 2nd Street in Ocala. According to the Ocala Police Department, officers arrived on scene at around 11:20 a.m. in reference to shots being fired in the area, and they located a male victim, Stanley, who had sustained a gunshot wound to his leg.
Stanley was rushed to a local hospital. Later that evening, he succumbed to his fatal injuries.
OPD detectives launched an investigation and uncovered evidence allegedly showing that two men in separate vehicles – a blue Toyota Camry and gray Hyundai Elantra – were “involved in the shooting.” After reviewing video footage and interviewing witnesses, detectives identified the driver of the Toyota as Burton, and the Hyundai’s driver was identified as Goffe.
Ocala police located both Burton and Goffe. Through further investigation, detectives learned that the suspects were allegedly a part of a “prearranged drug deal of marijuana” at the incident location, and it was during this drug deal that the victim was shot, according to OPD.
Burton and Goffe were both arrested and transported to Marion County Jail on January 6. Both men were initially charged with first-degree murder, and Goffe faced additional charges of possessing marijuana over 20 grams and possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
These charges were ultimately dropped by the prosecution on January 12, and Burton and Goffe were released from jail the same day.
Two days after the fatal shooting, a relative of Stanley created a GoFundMe account to help cover the cost of his funeral arrangements. The fundraiser’s goal is $4,100, and just over $1,500 has been raised as of 10 a.m. on January 22.