WEST PALM BEACH — In a case that proves Florida never runs out of bizarre crime stories, a 77-year-old golfer managed to convince a jury that shooting a dog walker in the ankle and then whacking him with a golf club was mostly self-defense.
Robert Levine, a retired New York financial analyst, faced serious charges after an April 2022 incident at Kings Point, a senior community near Delray Beach where golf carts and grudges apparently mix like oil and fire. The jury spared him from a 20-year mandatory minimum by acquitting him of the most serious charges—aggravated battery with a firearm and discharging a firearm in public—but still convicted him of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon (the golf club, which, by the way, was bloody).
The “Self-Defense” Story That Even Florida Found Hard to Believe
Levine claimed he was the real victim here, testifying that 64-year-old Herbert Merritt called him a “Jew bastard” (which Merritt denies) and then attacked him with a golf club. According to Levine, he had to shoot Merritt in the ankle and then beat him with another club because, well, Florida.
His attorney, Robert Gershman, argued that Levine was just trying to survive an “antisemitic attack” and that firing warning shots into the ground (which somehow ricocheted into Merritt’s ankle) was totally reasonable.
Witnesses Saw Things VERY Differently
Meanwhile, multiple witnesses said Levine chased Merritt around a tree while shooting at him, then—after Merritt was already bleeding from the ankle—grabbed a club and started swinging. Deputies found four shell casings and two bloody golf clubs at the scene.
Merritt, who used to have a 4 handicap (golf flex), now says he can’t walk or play golf anymore. “I gave up my car. I can’t go anywhere,” he said, clearly not thrilled with the jury’s decision.
The Verdict: Florida Man Math
After six hours of deliberation, the jury decided that while beating a man with a golf club was a little excessive, shooting him first was technically okay. Levine could still face up to two years in prison, but given Florida’s love of “Stand Your Ground” defenses, he might just walk away with probation and a lifetime ban from the golf course.
The Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office called the verdict “justice,” while Merritt called it… not that.
Final Score:
– Levine: 1 (acquitted of worst charges)
– Merritt: 0 (ankle shot, golf-club beatdown, no more golf)
– Florida: Still undefeated in weird crime stories.