Podcast Summary: The Journal – "Camp Swamp Road Ep. 5: Jacksonville"
Release Date: December 23, 2025
Hosts: Valerie Borlein, Hannah Critchfield
Podcast: The Journal (Spotify & The Wall Street Journal)
Overview
This episode dives into the intersection of "stand your ground" laws and the criminal justice system in Jacksonville, Florida. Using a recent case—the killing of 16-year-old Kalian Fedrick—as a lens, reporters explore how police and prosecutors apply justifiable homicide rulings, often without clear claims of self-defense or judicial oversight. The episode also brings key updates on the Scott Spivey case from previous episodes, highlighting the procedural complexity and emotional toll on victims' families.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Landscape of Stand Your Ground Laws
- Scope: Thirty U.S. states now have "stand your ground" laws, allowing broader use of deadly force in public if a person feels threatened.
- Consequences: A sharp increase in killings ruled as justifiable homicides; potential for misuse or unintended effects.
- Key Question: “Who gets labeled as the victim and who do you believe when the other side is dead?” (Valerie Borlein, 00:44)
2. The Jacksonville Context
- Stats: Jacksonville leads large U.S. cities in the share of homicides classified as justifiable by civilians.
- Case Highlight: The September 2023 death of Kalian Fedrick, a 16-year-old shot near his home, exemplifies how cases are closed as justified—even when no one formally claims self-defense.
3. The Killing of Kalian Fedrick
Timeline & Investigation
- Incident: Fedrick is shot near a convenience store; his mother, Latoya Williams, hears the gunfire nearby (03:27–03:47).
- Family Perspective: Williams arrives to find her son dying; he urges her to call 911. She is denied a ride in the ambulance and must walk to the hospital, highlighting the family's limited resources (03:59–04:52).
- Suspect: Anthony Jean Pierre, an ex-felon shot in the hand at the scene, claims to have been an innocent bystander. He is arrested on unrelated charges and does not cooperate with police (05:15–06:11).
- Police Work: Police canvass the area but find no eyewitnesses; a recovered gun does not match shell casings. Weeks later, a tipster’s rumor links Fedrick's shooting to an attempted robbery (07:25–07:54).
Systemic Issues
- Distrust & Silence: The investigation stalls largely due to lack of cooperation, described as typical in communities with strained relationships with police (08:13).
- Case Closure: Police and prosecution agree, based on the available information, that Fedrick was the “primary aggressor” and label the death justifiable homicide—even though Pierre never claims self-defense (09:57–10:29).
- Discretion of Authorities: “The decision to categorize something as justifiable and not pursue murder or manslaughter charges is discretionary.” (Hannah Critchfield, 10:38)
4. Data, Incentives, and the Broader Impact
- Investigation Time: Police spent roughly 36 hours—about four days—on the case over a year (11:34).
- Crime Statistics: Justifiable homicides are excluded from official murder rates, affecting public perceptions and local reputations (13:21–13:42).
- Expert Insight: Stand your ground “became sort of a garbage dump for difficult to handle homicide cases.” (Expert via Hannah Critchfield, 14:18)
- Socioeconomic Factors: Many justifiable homicides occur in low-income neighborhoods; families often lack the resources to challenge official rulings (14:40).
5. The Personal Toll on Families
- Lack of Communication: Latoya Williams was unaware the case had been closed until contacted by the reporter—neither police nor prosecutors informed her (16:57–19:31).
- Family’s Response: Williams is left confused, angry, and feeling powerless.
- Quote: “Who is making it justifiable? ... Who are you to judge the situation if you’re not a judge?” (Latoya Williams, 19:52–20:23)
- Socioeconomic Hardship: The family’s lack of resources, combined with grief, makes it nearly impossible to challenge or even understand the justice system’s decision (20:28).
6. Update on the Scott Spivey Case
- Recap: The South Carolina attorney general closed the case, but new investigations have been triggered due to separate police misconduct allegations (21:38–22:56).
- Family Impact: Jennifer Spivey, Scott’s sister, describes her devastation at the case’s closure and guarded hope as a special prosecutor is appointed:
- Quote: “At least I got it this far.” (Jennifer Spivey, 23:33)
- New Developments:
- Special prosecutor Barry Barnett may reopen the investigation and potentially empanel a grand jury.
- Simultaneously, a civil wrongful death lawsuit—through an immunity hearing—could independently determine whether the killing was justifiable (24:13–26:01).
- Jennifer’s emotional journey is ongoing:
- Quote: “I don’t see the finish line yet, but I know that I’m a lot closer ... than I was to start off with.” (Jennifer Spivey, 26:30)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
“Stand your ground became sort of a garbage dump for difficult to handle homicide cases.”
— Unnamed expert (via Hannah Critchfield), [14:18] -
“Who is making it justifiable? ... Who are you to judge the situation if you’re not a judge?”
— Latoya Williams, [19:56–20:23] -
“You can have a justifiable homicide without a person claiming self defense. You don’t need to have someone come forward.”
— Hannah Critchfield, [10:14] -
“I just laid in my kitchen floor and I just cried hysterically.”
— Jennifer Spivey, reacting to the closure of her brother’s case, [22:02] -
“At least I got it this far.”
— Jennifer Spivey, on new investigation step, [23:33] -
“I don’t see the finish line yet, but ... I’m a lot closer to the finish line than I was to start off with.”
— Jennifer Spivey, [26:30]
Key Timestamps
- 03:27–06:11: Details and aftermath of Kalian Fedrick’s shooting
- 07:25–08:13: Hearsay, rumors, and lack of witnesses stall the investigation
- 09:57–10:38: Police and prosecutors unilaterally rule the killing justifiable—despite no claim of self-defense
- 13:21–13:42: Explanation of how justifiable homicides are excluded from murder statistics
- 14:18: Expert commentary on justifiable homicide designation as a “dumping ground”
- 19:52–20:28: Latoya Williams questions justice and expresses frustration
- 21:38–26:50: Updates on the Scott Spivey case, including new investigations and civil proceedings
Tone & Style
The episode maintains a deeply reported, exacting journalistic tone, blending investigative rigor with empathetic storytelling. Family testimonials and quotes provide a vivid, emotional counterpoint to legal and procedural explanations, emphasizing the human impact behind crime statistics and public policy.
Conclusion
This episode shows how stand your ground laws can place tremendous discretionary power in the hands of police and prosecutors, particularly in cities like Jacksonville. Families are frequently left bereft and confused, while the statistical impact of such rulings may obscure the full reality of violence in American communities. The ongoing saga of the Scott Spivey case—with both criminal and civil components—highlights the strenuous, often painful paths families must take to seek justice or even simple recognition of their loss.
Listeners leave with essential questions about the fairness and transparency of the justice system in stand your ground states—and the ways these laws shape not only crime rates, but the lived experiences of those left behind.