Miami Gardens Man Acquitted in 2021 Attempted Murder Case

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — A Miami Gardens man accused of shooting his girlfriend multiple times in 2021 has been found not guilty of attempted murder, just days after withdrawing his guilty plea in the case.

After a full day of deliberations, a jury on Friday acquitted Gayle Blount in the shooting of Bridget Knighton. Knighton, who was shot at least five times, suffered severe injuries across her body and has undergone more than ten surgeries since the incident.

Blount’s attorneys maintained his innocence throughout the trial and argued that justice had been served with the verdict. However, Knighton expressed deep disappointment and disbelief over the outcome.

“Where in the world can somebody shoot you eight times as you sit on a sofa and be able to walk out the door?” Knighton said outside the courtroom. “I’m just, I’m in shock, I never thought this would happen, I gave the system a chance, this is the third time they let me down.”

The case had taken multiple turns, including Blount initially pleading guilty before later withdrawing the plea. The prosecution argued that the evidence pointed clearly to Blount’s guilt, while the defense raised doubts about key aspects of the case.

Despite Knighton’s testimony and the severity of her injuries, the jury ultimately sided with the defense, leading to Blount’s acquittal. The ruling has sparked debate over the legal process and the challenges in securing justice in domestic violence cases.

Authorities have yet to comment on whether there will be any further legal action following the verdict.