Matthew J. Downey, a 57-year-old man who lived at the Westshore Yacht Club in Tampa, Florida, was shot and killed on the evening of September 16, 2017. He and his neighbor, Brian Baker, had an earlier altercation that day at a tiki bar near the marina. Both men were reported to have been intoxicated.

Later that evening Baker, who was parked in his car, called out to Downey in the alley by their homes. As Downey approached, Baker shot him nine times. Downey’s wife, Susan, witnessed the shooting and attempted to stop the bleeding but he died of his injuries. Baker was arrested at the scene and charged with second-degree murder.

At trial Baker’s defense argued self-defense, saying Downey had approached in a threatening manner; Susan Downey testified she did not hear any aggressive behavior from her husband before the shooting. The case drew heavy local attention in the close-knit community and several witnesses, including Susan, were expected to testify.