Stornes left his red Dodge Durango SUV running while he went into the store. Cover letter where he is sending his version of things to be released. While no one from Dunns supporters are interviewed, we hear revealing excerpts from phone recordings of Dunns prison phone calls to Rouer, his claims of victimhood and denials. It's possible Dunn could take the stand in his own defense. She said she rushed back to the car where Dunn "urgently" asked her to get in. The man sitting in the front passenger seat complied. Davis' father Ron remained in the courtroom while Davis' mother Lucia McBath left the courtroom.Simons also showed the jury where on Davis' clothing that emergency personnel cut the clothing to perform lifesaving measures, and where on the clothing that gunshots passed through. The film is currently available for streaming on demand from the documentary streaming service,Impactseries.netorApril 26 on the movie subscription service,Hollywood Suite. Three of those bullets struck Mr. Davis, who died at the scene after an afternoon spent at the mall. Letters exchanged between accused killer, Michael Dunn and his girlfriend could be problematic for his defense. In the morning, Rouer saw a news report about a shooting at a Jacksonville gas station, in which a 17-year-old had been killed, and rather than call police, the couple packed their bags and drove. Rouer said she had a glass of red wine and about three rum and cokes as well as champagne. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. After a shaken Ms. Rouer got back inside the car, Mr. Dunn pulled out of the gas station and drove to the hotel where the two spent the night as planned. ', "Michael Dunn convicted on 4 of 5 charges in loud-music murder case", "Michael Dunn sentenced to life without parole for killing of Florida teenager", "Verdict: Michael Dunn found guilty of first degree murder", "Florida Man on Trial Again in Loud Music Killing", "Prosecutors want to put Michael Dunn in prison before murder retrial", "Life without parole for loud-music murderer in Florida", Michael Dunn sentenced to life without parole for killing of Florida teenager, Appeal filed in Michael Dunn's conviction in teen Jordan Davis' death, "Supreme Court rejects Brevard man's appeal in racially tinged murder of Jordan Davis in Jacksonville", "Ron Davis in contact with Trayvon's father", "Gun Reform Advocate Lucy McBath Heads To Runoff For Georgia House Seat", "Citing Parkland shooting, anti-gun-violence activist is running for Congress in Georgia", "Lucy McBath Wins Georgia Congressional Race Against Karen Handel", "When Black women use motherhood's power to advocate for Black lives", "Timeline: The Black Lives Matter movement", "Black Noise, White Ears: Resilience, Rap, and the Killing of Jordan Davis", "Mother of Jordan Davis Speaks Out: "His Death Doesn't Overshadow His Life" at Democratic Convention", "Movies Sold at Sundance 2015: A Complete & Updated Guide", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murder_of_Jordan_Davis&oldid=1140842638, This page was last edited on 22 February 2023, at 01:33. She complied, and saw Dunn put a handgun in the glove box. The State attorney has no hope of a guilty verdict. Black thug. He also asked his daughter to ask her mom to contact him as a neighbor had told someone Dunn choked her. His threats and actions left no doubt in my mind that it was firearm. The film debates the question: "Is it possible to be both pro-gun and pro-life?" [21] Contrary to Dunn's claim that he mentioned a weapon to Rouer, she testified that he never mentioned a gun either that night or the next day. Rouer told police Dunn said "I hate that thug music," when the couple pulled up next to the SUV holding Davis. The police at the scene never found a gun, and the three surviving teenagers testified last week that they did not hide a weapon and were not carrying one in the Durango. However, the courtroom conversation between attorneys and the juror in question was conducted in a sidebar, preventing media or other members of the audience from hearing it. She started by telling Assistant State Attorney Erin Wolfson that they had a good day that . I apologize," said Healey on Saturday. Dramatic Testimony in Florida Stand Your Ground Trial Michael Dunn's fiance Rhonda Rouer takes the stand as a witness for the prosecution. Moments later, Rouer told jurors, I heard pop, pop, pop.. The police arrested him shortly after he arrived in Brevard, a two-and-a-half-hour drive away. I dont know what its like to have a baby. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. At times teary, his feet shackled, Michael Dunn, the man accused of fatally shooting a black teenager in November 2012 during an argument over loud music, took the witness stand on Tuesday and told the jury he pulled the trigger repeatedly only to save his own life. Under questioning from prosecutors, Rouer admitted to never calling 911 or trying to wave down a police officer the night of the shooting or the next day. (CLICK ANY LINK TO DOWNLOAD PDF OF EACH LETTER): Dunn reference a few criminal defense lawyers he spoke with and how one mentioned to him that he never mentioned a gun to Rhonda. Rouer testified she wanted to go home and they left. As his head clears the window frame, he says, This is going down, Mr. Dunn said, quoting Mr. Davis and using an expletive in the quote. [6], Tommie Stornes, Leland Brunson, Jordan Davis, and Tevin Thompson had been spending the day traveling to various malls when they decided to go to the Gate Petroleum gas station in order to buy gum and cigarettes. Rouer testified she did not hear any arguing. Mr. Dunn said there was no rational reason to leave the scene except that he was afraid of the teenagers. Dunn and Rouer left the wedding early in order to return to their hotel and take care of their six-month-old puppy. She looked outside and saw Dunn leaning out of his window. They returned to their hotel where they ordered pizza. Early Saturday morning, Judge Russell Healey excused juror #4 because of a comment made by the juror that got published in Folio Weekly in an article titled, "An Interview with a Dunn Jury reject.". After Knox took the stand, four character witnesses testified for the defense. Rouer said she went to the entrance to see what was happening and saw Dunn facing the driver's side window. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. A 400-pound white schoolteacher who was sitting by me really hated [Coreys] humor, and made the joke that she would have a hard time proving to a court that I am fat; there would still be reasonable doubt.. Former WWE RAW Women's champion and UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey, has not been on WWE television since her loss at WrestleMania 35 to Becky Lynch, who went home with both the RAW. Rouer, Dunn's former girlfriend, was the fifth witness to take the stand in the third day of testimony of the murder retrial. WWE News: Ronda Rousey reveals why UFC match was bigger than WrestleMania. Rhonda Rouer (a key figure in contradicting Dunn's testimony about claiming to see Davis wielding a weapon). Let me assure you, just as I told detectives who first interviewed me in Melbourne, and later Mitch Stone- there was a weapon.". Yet,the film,3 Minutes, 10 Bullets, as well as being a compelling real-life courtroom drama, offers some clarity about race and injustice in the pre-Trump era. The murder was one of the primary inspirations for the award-winning young adult novel Dear Martin, by Nic Stone. . But Mr. Dunn struggled to preserve his credibility on Tuesday after his distraught fiance took the stand and, her eyes welling with tears, contradicted some major points of his testimony. As the SUV backed up to evade his gunshots, Dunn opened his own door and continued firing at the car in shooter's stance, as the boys ducked for cover. In the article, a potential juror Richard David Smith, who happens to be a freelancer for Folio, spoke about his experience being screened for the trial. Action News Jax facebook feed(Opens a new window), Action News Jax twitter feed(Opens a new window), Action News Jax youtube feed(Opens a new window), Related: Folio Weekly article leads to dismissal of juror in Michael Dunn retrial, Related:Former fiancee of Michael Dunn takes stand, live gavel-to-gavel coverage on ActionNewsJax.com, For Action News on the go, sign up for Action News Mobile & Email alerts, Florida Senator proposes bill to cancel Democratic Party in state, Bartram Trail High School girls lacrosse player denied NIL opportunity, FHP: Man dies after FDOT Road Ranger rear-ends truck, pushes him over edge of Buckman Bridge, PCSO: No charges in case of mail carrier mauled by 5 dogs, Its a monumental win: Newly approved legislation increases required age to work in strip clubs. He compares himself to My Cousin Vinnie and how he has a foolproof case. Rouer and Dunn pulled up to the Gate gas station on Baymeadows Road, next to a red Dodge Durango. "Poor sweetie." Rhonda smirked before leaning over and kissing Arnold on the lips. In January 2015, the documentary 3 Minutes, 10 Bullets (originally titled 3 Minutes) premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Please logout and login again. Dunn testified that on the drive home he called a neighbor who works in law enforcement to arrange to speak to him about the shooting, but phone records indicate that the neighbor actually called him, and Rouer testified that the shooting was never mentioned during the call. He faces 60 years in prison for the attempted murder convictions and will get life if he's convicted of killing Davis. Beforehand, the judge cautioned the court that if individuals felt they could not view these photos without outburst, they should leave the courtroom. Dunn was convicted on three counts of attempted second-degree murder for firing at three other teenagers who were with Davis and one count of firing into an occupied vehicle. Rhonda Rouer was enjoying herself on the day after Thanksgiving in 2012 when she accompanied her fiance to his son's wedding. [50] ABC News, Australia says the case has become part of the national conversation about the dangers facing young black men in America today. The shooting, which unfolded in this northern Florida city, has drawn attention once again to the states expansive self-defense laws that allow people who say they feel threatened to use lethal force to protect themselves. When Rouer got in the vehicle, she testified, she saw Dunn put a gun back in the glovebox. She is a key witness in her boyfriend's -Michael Dunn- murder trial. Zimmermans acquittal happened in the summer of 2013, between Dunns first trial, which ended in a partial verdict,and his second trial in the fall, when the jury convicted him of first degree murder. Dunn letter from prison to his girlfriend. The trio said there was never a gun in the car. Your login session has expired. Mr. Dunn said he told his fiance several times that the teenager had threatened him with a gun or some kind of weapon. Dunn's girlfriend Rhonda Rouer was with Dunn the night he allegedly shot 17-year-old Jordan Davis, at a Jacksonville gas station after an argument over loud music. When Daviss fianc returned from the store where she had bought wine, Dunn sped away, leaving three boys with their dying friend. He wanted his family to give Cory direction. He wanted a Stand Your Ground hearing and a ton of experts, including an expert on the thug sub-culture. He also wanted a more active roll in the press, including mentioning how unreliable the 3 thugs in SUV are. Saying, "I then realized that we hadn't really discussed what happened, as we were more concerned with whether or not anyone was hurt. [55] The film distribution was sold to HBO. The press is made up of a bunch of liberal bastards. He said, Youd think Jacksonville was 90-95% back judging by the make up of the folks in jail here. He also mocked the Rolling Stone article about Jordan. Mr. Dunn said he saw Mr. Davis with a weapon. [40][41] Hendrix described Dunn as arrogant and controlling, adding that Dunn's ex-wives told him that Dunn was violent and abusive toward them, although he never personally witnessed this. Musser said it wasn't until months later that he realized the Gate station video recordings included audio, and by that point the recordings were gone. He tells his grandmother the appellate court made a chicken shit decision, calls the judge not very bright, and says he is either a victim of reverse discrimination or a political prisoner. He thinks the blacks seem to be calling the shots and the whites who live in Jacksonville know how the blacks behave here. On the way back to their hotel, the two decided to stop at the Gate Petroleum gas station to purchase a bottle of wine. A hapless witness, she herself dodged. Healey told Knox not to mention anything from the previous trial while testifying.During his testimony, Knox brought forth his opinion that Davis' window, the rear passenger window, was rolled at least partially down. Dunn is accused of fatally shooting 17-year-old Jordan Davis at a Southside Gate gas station during a confrontation over loud music on Nov. 23, 2012. They are still communicating in his code language. He then tries to enforce a version of what happened upon her (which is blacked out). In the aftermath of the. She said Dunn told her, "I hate that thug music." Musser also said he never went back to the Gate station to get video recordings of that night to determine if the witnesses gathered inside, including the three friends, were talking. The film follows Rob Schenck, a pro-life Evangelical minister; Lucy McBath, the mother of teenager Jordan Davis; and attorney John Michael Phillips as they interact in the years after the shooting. Kuritz says he's seen letters like this one before and believes it can be used against Dunn at trial. Court is expected to resume at 9 a.m. Watch continuing live gavel-to-gavel coverage on ActionNewsJax.com. 2023 Cox Media Group. He ordered her in the car and the two sped away, heading to their hotel. [37] On November 17, 2016, his appeal was denied. [56], Davis's story also features in the 2015 documentary film The Armor of Light, the directorial debut of Disney heir Abigail Disney. Around 7:30p.m., four teenage boys (Leland Brunson, Jordan Davis, Tommie Stornes, and Tevin Thompson) stopped at a Gate Petroleum gas station. The film is currently available from theImpact Seriesstreaming service and on Hollywood Suite on April 26. Ittook place at the infancy of the Black Lives Matter movement, which was launched on social media following the 2013 acquittal of George Zimmerman for the shooting death of another 17-year-old Florida native, Trayvon Martin. Anyone can read what you share. Rouer broke into tears several times during her testimony, as she had in the first trial. To receive an email when new reviews/interviews are added to Original-Cin, please provide your email address in the form below. I was worried about the blind firing situation, where they would shoot over their heads, whatever, and hit me, or hit me and Rhonda.. He lays it on pretty thick and sings George Michaels Faith over and over. Despite claiming he doesnt use the word thug, he calls Ron Davis the daddy of the thug. He also talks about the Bible and then brings up the 3 thugs in the SUV and calls it a rotten culture. He wants white jurors as hed rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6.. Daviss parents, Ron Davis and Lucia McBath, were also visibly emotional in the audience. They also said the police had failed to thoroughly search the surrounding area, including trash bins close to the parking lot. His mother and father retained Cory Strolla, his defense lawyer for him, and Dunn liked to complain about him. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. He raised a significant question that still hangs over the proceedings: If the teenagers had a shotgun and were being fired upon, why didnt they use it? The next morning Rouer saw a report about the shooting on the news indicating that Jordan Davis had died. All rights reserved. After Simons' testimony wrapped up at around 12:40 p.m., court took a lunch break. He makes an off color sex change joke and then talks about Charlie (his dog). In a second trial, Dunn was found guilty of the first-degree murder of Davis and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole plus 105 years in prison, which is two de facto consecutive life sentences.[4][5]. British director Marc Silvers tautly edited film, which won a special jury award at Sundance in 2015, was picked up by HBO and aired later that year. The jury could not reach a verdict about whether to convict Dunn for the murder of Davis at the first trial. The parking lot and the trash bins were searched four days later after they learned Dunn was claiming self-defense, Musser said. They didn't stop on the two hour drive home. Given the traditions of the time . 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