Gayle Blount was acquitted of attempted first-degree murder charges in the 2021 shooting of his ex-fiancée, Bridget Knighton, in her Miami Gardens apartment. As Local 10 reported, despite Blount admitting to firing at Knighton multiple times, which left her with permanent scars, the jury sided with the defense's self-defense argument, a verdict that Knighton's legal team contests.
During the trial, Knighton described the incident, stating that Blount, despite a restraining order, showed up at her apartment three times before the shooting. She said, "I remember him saying, ‘Look what you made me do," WSVN reported. The defense argued that Knighton had a firearm in her purse, supporting Blount's claim of self-defense. Video evidence also contradicted the prosecution's position on the location of the purse, leading the prosecutor to apologize for their earlier mistake.
Blount's defense team expressed relief over the verdict but acknowledged concerns about how Blount, a large man, might be perceived by the jury. "Mr. Blount did as well, we were concerned initially that the jury may not believe him because he was a man, a large man at that but at the end of the day justice was served," Blount's defense attorney told WSVN. Knighton, through tears, expressed frustration over the verdict, stating, "This is what I get? My body is changed forever. This is why women can’t come because it feels like the system doesn’t have your back. It’s awful. I can’t believe this happened. How did it happen?"
Although Blount has been acquitted of the shooting charges, he still faces a misdemeanor battery charge in Broward County, where Knighton is also the alleged victim. His attorneys expect him to be credited for time served.
