Taylor v. Broton

On February 12, 2026, a civil trial opened in Florida state court. Jane Taylor sued Michael Broton for battery, negligence, and emotional distress. The incident occurred in late 2025 when Taylor, a delivery driver, mistakenly walked onto Broton’s rural property after dark. Broton, shouting a warning and claiming fear of an intruder, fired a warning shot that ricocheted off a metal post and struck Taylor’s leg, causing a fracture. State prosecutors declined to file criminal charges, citing Florida’s Stand Your Ground law. Taylor then pursued civil remedies, arguing Broton used excessive and unreasonable force against a non-threatening person. The case turned on whether the civil court could disregard the statutory immunity typically granted in justifiable self-defense situations. Evidence included body camera footage, 911 calls, and expert testimony on ballistic trajectories. The jury deliberated for six hours before returning a verdict.

The jury found Broton 65% liable for negligent infliction of injury and awarded Taylor $850,000. The judge subsequently reduced the amount to $500,000, applying comparative negligence due to Taylor’s decision to enter an unlit property without clearly identifying herself.

Whether Broton’s use of deadly force was reasonable under the circumstances and whether Florida’s Stand Your Ground immunity shields him from civil liability.

The verdict intensified nationwide debate over self-defense laws, prompting civil rights groups and gun-control advocates to push for clearer limits on civil immunity. Several states introduced bills to amend Stand Your Ground statutes, ensuring victims can still seek civil recourse even after a criminal acquittal.