Coral Springs, Fla. – A local man is seeking to have his first‑degree murder charge dismissed, arguing that the fatal shooting of realtor Sara Trost in December 2021 was a justified act of self‑defense. Raymond Reese, 56, appeared in Broward County Court on Wednesday and took the stand to explain why he believes the incident was lawful.
Background of the December 2021 shooting
On December 23, 2021, Trost was waiting outside a home on Northwest 48th Court to meet a potential buyer when she was shot twice and killed. Police say the murder occurred two days before Christmas. Reese arrived at the residence intending to confront his former landlord over a disputed debt, but instead encountered Trost.
According to court testimony, Reese mistook Trost for his landlord and claimed she brandished a firearm. He said, “I thought the woman was my landlord and she had a gun in her hand.” The defense highlighted that Trost had a handgun in her purse at the time of the shooting, a detail shown in photographs presented during the hearing.
Defense’s self‑defense argument
Reese’s attorney, Gabe Ermine, argued that his client went to the house to resolve a financial dispute peacefully, not to commit a violent act. “He went there for an in‑person conversation with the owner, Emily and Andy. He testified he didn’t go for any nefarious reason, ill‑will, premeditation or anything like that,” Ermine said.
During cross‑examination, Reese affirmed his fear, responding “Absolutely” when asked if he was afraid. He also called 911 after the shooting, though he did not initially claim self‑defense on the call.
Prosecution’s response
Assistant state attorney Taylor Collins countered that Reese never mentioned self‑defense in the transcript of the 911 call. “He says ‘my landlord is an evil person,’ he says ‘I shot her,’ he says a lot of things. But never once, through the entirety of the transcript does he ever say this was self‑defense, that she had a gun, she pulled a gun,” Collins stated.
Prosecutors also maintain that the handgun never left Trost’s purse, suggesting there was no indication she brandished a weapon toward Reese.
Next steps
The judge has taken the matter under advisement and will issue a ruling on the self‑defense claim in the coming days. If the claim is rejected, Reese will continue to face a first‑degree murder charge that could carry a life sentence.
The case underscores the complexities of self‑defense claims in Florida, where the legal standard requires a reasonable belief of imminent danger. Residents of Coral Springs and the broader Broward County area are watching the proceedings closely, given the tragic loss of a local real‑estate professional and the broader implications for personal‑property disputes.
Original reporting: NBC6 Miami — read the source article.
