Video And Pics After The Jump
Michael Dunn will spend the next 75-years in prison after being found guilty of 4 of 5 counts in the murder trial of Jordan Davis. However, the jury could not reach a verdict on the most serious charge of first-degree murder.
47-year old Dunn was convicted of three counts of attempted second-degree murder and one count of firing into a vehicle The attempted second-degree murder charges carry sentences of 20 years each. 15 years will be added on for shooting into the SUV that carried 17-year old Davis and three of his friends on Nov. 23, 2012.
As we previously reported, Dunn and his fiancee, Rhonda Rouer, pulled into a Jacksonville gas station and parked next to Davis and his three friends on that fateful night. While Rour was inside buying alcohol, an argument was sparked when Dunn either asked or told the teens to turn down their music.
During the argument, Dunn said he saw the barrel of a shotgun sticking out of the rear window where Davis was sitting. He claimed that threats were being made and he feared for his life.
Michael Dunn, gestures on the stand in his own defense during his trial in Jacksonville
He testified that Davis exited his vehicle to confront him. At that point he reached into his glove compartment, grabbed his 9mm pistol and said, "You're not going to kill me you son of a b*tch," before firing 10 shots into the SUV. He continued to shoot as the teens pulled out of their parking space in an attempt to get away from him.
9 of the 10 shots fired hit the SUV. Davis was struck twice in the leg. A third bullet entered his right side and damaged his ribs, diaphragm, liver, aorta and lungs. He was dead within minutes. None of the other teens were wounded.
Police later searched the Dodge Durago the teens were in and didn't find a gun. It was later determined that Jordan was not outside of the vehicle when he was shot, based on the trajectory of the bullets and his wounds.
Rhonda Rouer
Rouer testified at the trial that she and and her fiance had been drinking at the wedding reception of Dunn's son prior to stopping at the gas station. After the shooting they checked into a hotel where they ordered a pizza and spent the night. Neither one of them called police.
Dunn was arrested at his Satellite Beach, Florida home the following day. Police tracked him down using his license plate number. An alert witness to the shooting wrote it down as Dunn fled the scene.
Lucia McBath, left and Ronald Davis, right, parents of Jordan Davis
After today's verdict was read, Davis' parents spoke at a news conference.
"It's been a long, long road. And we're just happy to have a little it of closure," McBath said. "It's sad for Mr. Dunn that he will live the rest of his life in that sense of torment, and I will pray for him. And I've asked my family to pray for him. But we are so grateful for the charges that have been brought against him. We're so grateful for the truth," she continued. "We're so grateful that the jurors were able to understand the common sense of it all. And we will continue to stand. And we will continue to wait for justice for Jordan."
State Attorney Angela Corey said prosecutors would seek a new trial in Duval County on the 1st-degree murder charge.
"Justice for Jordan Davis is as important as it is for any victim," Corey said.
Jordan's mother shared a similar message on Twitter.
Tomorrow is my boy's 19th birthday. I pray we will celebrate not only him but a just and righteous verdict. Patiently we wait.
— Lucia Kay McBath (@lucymcbath) February 15, 2014
Michael Dunn verdict read in court
Jordan Davis' Parents to Michael Dunn: Our Son Is Not Just Another Day at the Office
Sources: NY Daily News, CNN and the Associated Press
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