POLL: Do you agree with the judge that Dr. Eddie Orobitg acted in self-defense?

LEESBURG, Fla. (TCN) -- A dentist who beat a man with a golf club during an altercation was found not guilty in February under Florida’s "Stand Your Ground" law.

The incident took place April 30, 2023, and Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a battery in progress call at a golf course. Deputies spoke with Dr. Joe Sivak, who said he was walking on a course path with his wife when Dr. Eddie Orobitg told him the path was for golf carts only. The two men got into a verbal altercation that quickly turned physical. Orobitg hit Sivak with his golf club, and Sivak struck him back with his water bottle. Sivak had lacerations on his body and a torn earlobe. WOFL-TV reports Sivak also suffered fractured ribs and a brain injury.

Orobitg reportedly told deputies that he was golfing with his son when Sivak and his wife stepped on the course. He claimed he asked them to get out of the way, but then Sivak pushed him and then spat in his face. Orobitg said Sivak hit him with his water bottle as he tried to take Orobitg’s golf clubs.

Orobitg reportedly said he thought Sivak was going to hit him and his son, so he used his golf clubs in self-defense. Orobitg’s son shared with deputies that his father spat in Sivak’s face first, which caused Sivak to spit back. The son allegedly claimed Sivak pushed Orobitg, and Orobitg struck Sivak by accident when he fell.

Orobitg was arrested and charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm.

According to WOFL, Sivak said at a hearing, "I thought I was going to die or was dead."

Orobitg’s attorneys, however, argued, "The physical evidence does not support Mr. Sivak’s version of events. Mr. Sivak’s narrative has numerous inconsistencies and discrepancies when compared to the physical evidence and 911 call. We are committed to presenting a vigorous defense that will demonstrate Dr. Orobitg’s use of force was justified."

In February, a judge acquitted Orobitg and said Sivak was confrontational when the fight occurred. The judge also reportedly said the prosecution did not have enough evidence to disprove Orobitg’s self-defense argument.

Do you believe Orobitg acted in self-defense? Share your thoughts in the poll below!

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