Florida continues to be an endless well of bizarre criminal stories. Joel Benjamin, 71, reportedly told police that he was not remorseful after he sprayed a woman walking her dog with his own urine. The reason? He was upset with dogs urinating on his lawn so he decided do retaliate with his own urine.
Benjamin used a squirt gun that he loaded with his own urine. He then told police that he was not sorry and would do it again. Given what it must have taken to fill the squirt gun, it shows a level of rage and commitment that is quite chilling.
What is interesting is that he is only charged with misdemeanor battery despite using a bodily fluid as a weapon. Under Section 784.03, Florida Statutes, simple battery includes “any actual and intentional touching or striking of another person against that person’s will (non-consensual), or the intentional causing of bodily harm to another person.”
The reason for the misdemeanor appears to be the absence of serious bodily harm. Under Section 784.041, Florida Statutes. felony battery is committed where a defendant intentionally strikes a person (without the person’s consent) and “causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement” to the alleged victim.