Pasco slaying defendant claiming self-defense

Sean Christopher Stewart latched on to the Stand Your Ground law from the moment he shot Scott Baisden.

"All I did was defend myself," Stewart told a deputy immediately after the Dec. 2, 2007, shooting, according to an audio recording. "Jeb Bush said I had the right, that I can stand my ground, you know?"

Stewart has stuck to his story of self-defense in his second-degree murder trial this week in Pasco Circuit Court. The 37-year-old Tampa man could face up to life in prison if found guilty in the slaying of Baisden, 34, who died several days after the shooting.

Stewart also is charged with aggravated assault, accused of pointing a gun at Baisden's roommate.

Closing arguments and jury deliberations are expected Thursday.

The state's Stand Your Ground law, enacted in 2005, enables people to use deadly force if they feel threatened anywhere they have a legal right to be.

Stewart went to Baisden's home on Shade Crest Drive in Land O' Lakes to hang out; the two had known each other for about 20 years. Stewart testified today that he brought two guns inside to show Baisden, leaving a .22-caliber pistol in his pickup. He put the guns inside a drawer in the living room.

Stewart said Baisden's roommate and several other people were in the house. He said he stayed for several hours before deciding to leave, but when he went to the drawer to get his guns, they were missing.

While he was searching for the weapons, a fight broke out. Stewart said he was pummeled by Baisden and several other people. When he came to, everyone was gone. He went to his truck and grabbed the .22-caliber gun.

"I just figured if someone tried to attack me again, especially if it was more than just one person," Stewart said, explaining why he grabbed the gun.

He said he saw Baisden and another man walk out the front door and toward the house next door. Stewart said he pursued the men because he wanted to know where his guns were. He said that's when two other men came up behind him and threatened him.

Stewart said Baisden came at him, so he drew his .22 and fired. He said Baisden was shot in the front yard of the next-door house.

Prosecutors contend Stewart wasn't threatened and simply shot Baisden over his missing guns. The state contends the shooting happened in Baisden's front doorway.

In cross-examining Stewart, Assistant State Attorney Stacey Sumner asked why he felt the need to arm himself and confront Baisden a second time.

"I suppose I didn't have to," Stewart replied.

In a videotaped interview with a detective, Stewart admitted he should have called law enforcement about the missing weapons before resorting to force.