A Florida judge dismissed charges Wednesday against a former beauty queen, who was arrested for clubbing a guest with an aluminum bat at her holiday party last December
Former Miss Miami Lakes Vanessa Barcelo's lawyer argued that Barcelo acted in self-defense under the state's "Stand Your Grand" law, the Miami Herald reported.
The incident happened during a Dec. 21 party Barcelo held at her Hialeah home to promote her cake business.
She testified that during the party, local disc jockey David Duperon tried to take advantage of her inebriated cousin, according to the Miami Herald.
This eventually led to Barcelo and her friends trying to get Duperon to leave the party. Barcelo said she swung a bat near the crowd and slapped Duperon’s face. During the scuffle, Duperon got possession of the bat.
“I was scared for myself and everyone who was there,” Barcelo said.
“I was afraid that I would get hit with the bat. I didn't know what else could have happened.”
Barcelo was facing charges of aggravated battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
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