A Margate man says he accidentally killed his mother while standing up to his father

A Margate man accused of shooting his mother in late 2019 is asking a Broward judge to dismiss his involuntary manslaughter charge because he pulled the trigger in self-defense — during an argument with his father.

It’s an unusual use of the state’s Stand Your Ground law, as Alexander DelToro Jr. claims he was defending himself against someone other than the person he killed.

“This boy loved his mother more than anything,” said DelToro’s attorney, Ron Baum. “The last thing he wanted to do was kill anyone, let alone her, on his birthday.”

Assistant District Attorney Tom Hand played a recording of DelToro’s statement about the events of December 14, 2019. DelToro told police he was driving home from a 28th birthday trip with his parents when he accidentally hit his father with his elbow.

That escalated into an argument that continued as the trio walked home to the 200 block of Southwest 36th Terrace in Margate. There the conflict became physical and DelToro lost his glasses in the fight.

“Do you remember (DelToro) the senior telling the junior that he would have knocked him out when he was younger?” Baum asked Margate police Sgt. Sean Cobban, who questioned DelToro Jr. in the recording.

“Yes,” said Cobban.

Baum argues that his client picked up a gun to protect himself from his father, but that he never intended to fire the weapon. His mother tried to break up the fight and was fatally injured by the shot.

Baum also repeatedly asked whether police found another gun at DelToro’s home. Cobban answered no.

DelToro Jr., now 32, did not testify during Thursday’s hearing, which is scheduled to continue Friday afternoon before Broward Circuit Judge Edward Merrigan.

Rafael Olmeda can be reached at [email protected] or 954-356-4457.