The parking lot and the trash bins were searched four days later after they learned Dunn was claiming self-defense, Musser said. Rhonda Rouer, Michael Dunn's now-ex-fiancee, testifies in his murder retrial. Let me assure you, just as I told detectives who first interviewed me in Melbourne, and later Mitch Stone- there was a weapon.". He ordered her in the car and the two sped away, heading to their hotel. On February 3, the jury selection process in Michael Dunn's murder trial will begin. The next morning, after the couple saw news reports that someone had died at the gas station, Mr. Dunn said he called a neighbor, a federal law enforcement official, and told him he had to discuss something with him when he got home. We represent the family of Jordan Davis and these letters were made public as evidence in the criminal case. [16] Dunn returned to his home in Satellite Beach the following day at 10:30a.m., where he was arrested after an eyewitness reported his license plate to police. Related to the case (on page 6), he talks about suing the State of Florida and using the money to buy a house. He tried to explain his story and excuse his lack of mentioning of a weapon, saying, I cannot recall if I ever conveyed the details of my decision making to you. 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. However, Healey later said the juror claimed he did not make the remarks as Smith claimed. The deputy testified Dunn did just that, went to his knees as ordered where deputies placed him in handcuffs. She also wasnt questioned this time around about whether Dunn ever mentioned to her that he thought Davis had a gun. Rhonda Rouer took the stand and started trembling and sobbing as she began to get into what happened on the night of the shooting. Stornes left his red Dodge Durango SUV running while he went into the store. Dunn has claimed Davis threatened him with a gun, and he fired to defend himself. 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. 2023 Cox Media Group. During Simons' testimony, several photos Davis' body were shown to the jury. On Saturday defense attorney Waffa Hanania tried to mitigate that by getting Rouer to admit that it was her idea to order the pizza, and she wasn't sure if Dunn ate any of it. During the previous trial, the Times-Union was among several media agencies to challenge Healey for the release of public records including several jailhouse calls made by Dunn. The couple drove back to their hotel, ordered a pizza and Dunn made them some alcoholic drinks. The state called 27 witnesses in the trial, including the young men in the SUV with Jordan Davis and Dunn's then-fiance Rhonda Rouer, who was also there. He comments on my (the Davis attorney) assertion that there were no weapons and wishes his lawyer would counter these assertions. But a new letter gives a look inside the mind of an accused killer. Given the traditions of the time . He's very loving."[29]. He calls the civil suit we filed bogus. Saying, "I then realized that we hadn't really discussed what happened, as we were more concerned with whether or not anyone was hurt. Testimony in the trial highlighted how loud music from the teens vehicle initiated a verbal confrontation between Davis and Dunn who told the teens to turn down the music. When questioned Saturday, Rouer said they were no longer engaged or in a relationship. Prosecutors will call two more witnesses and then rest their case. In one of his calls to Rouer, Dunn explained his reason for leaving the gas station after the shooting. Simons testified that the cause of Davis' death was multiple gunshot wounds and the manner of his death was a homicide. They were represented by John Michael Phillips in wrongful death and defamation lawsuits against Dunn. Anyone can read what you share. The murder was one of the primary inspirations for the award-winning young adult novel Dear Martin, by Nic Stone. On the way back to their hotel, the two decided to stop at the Gate Petroleum gas station to purchase a bottle of wine. The shooting, he told jurors, had nothing to do with the obnoxious bass music or rap crap as he called it Tuesday that thundered out of the teenagers Durango, which was parked alongside his vehicle. Live Video: Michael Dunn Trial Coverage The trial will resume Monday. "He's clearly reiterating there was a weapon there, there was a weapon there.". And when you cantargue either, put someone else on trial. 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. Court is expected to resume at 9 a.m. Watch continuing live gavel-to-gavel coverage on ActionNewsJax.com. He discusses how he wants to find a slimy civil law lawyer and sue the county for reverse discrimination. Davis' murder is one of many referenced by social justice activists (including many black parents) as a reminder that unarmed children who died at the hands of police or white men, mattered as individual human beings. The Armor of Light premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2015 before opening theatrically on October 30, 2015. Rousey herself does not know if she will return to the WWE. Do his choices match yours? The day in court began with Mr. Dunns unalloyed version of events. Juror number four was dismissedfor negative remarks about Corey. [29][30][31], Jury selection in Dunn's retrial began on September 22, 2014, and opening statements took place on September 25. He said he responded to the crime scene.After Rouer's testimony, Sukhan Warf, a Florida Department of Law Enforcement crime lab analyst and DNA expert followed. [50] ABC News, Australia says the case has become part of the national conversation about the dangers facing young black men in America today. In the letter addressed to "Baby," Dunn goes on to tell her "I cannot recall if I ever conveyed the details of my decision making to you. [57], Last edited on 22 February 2023, at 01:33, First District Court of Appeal for the State of Florida, "Dunn jury hears from former fiancee, juror dismissed", "Michael Dunn, Jordan Davis, and America's Racist Heritage", "Black Teen's Shooter Rants About Killing 'Thugs' So They 'May Take the Hint and Change Their Behavior', https://efactssc-public.flcourts.org/casedocuments/2019/2063/2019-2063_notice_88213_notice2ddiscretionary20juris2028direct20conflict29.pdf, "Did Jordan Davis have weapon? "We were very happy," said Rouer, in tears. We hear from Jordans three friends in the car, cautiously precise in their answers. 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. Moments later, Rouer told jurors, I heard pop, pop, pop.. The three teenagers in the Dodge Durango with Jordan at the time of the shooting testified Friday. Her priority at the moment is to start a family and she said that she does not want to make promises when she does not know how she's going to feel in the future. Rouer told police Dunn said "I hate that thug music," when the couple pulled up next to the SUV holding Davis. The man sitting in the front passenger seat complied. She claims that Dunn told her to get in the car. He lays it on pretty thick and sings George Michaels Faith over and over. He did that in the first trial, claiming the shots were fired in self-defense. Mr. Dunn said he saw Mr. Davis with a weapon. Former Florida state attorney Angela Corey stated that her office would seek a retrial for this charge. [9][12] The front seat passenger, Tevin Thompson, initially complied and turned the volume down, but Jordan Davis requested the volume be turned back up. It was also previously reported it was Rhonda who begged her boyfriend to leave the scene in spite of his desire to call the police, so there is something not adding up here. 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: Jordan's Friends Take Stand in Day 2, live gavel-to-gavel coverage on ActionNewsJax.com, 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. Kuritz says he's seen letters like this one before and believes it can be used against Dunn at trial. Dunn repeatedly told her to get into the car, and when she did she saw him put the gun he carried in the glove compartment. Dunn doubts he would have even been arrested in any other County, discusses his plans to sue the pants off of the State once trial is over. The justices did not explain their reasons behind the refusal. Your login session has expired. When Rouer got in the vehicle, she testified, she saw Dunn put a gun back in the glovebox. Cover letter where he is sending his version of things to be released. Rhonda RouerShooter Michael Dunns girlfriend, Pam Baker Cocker: Singer Joe Cockers Wife, Melinda Trucks Allman Brothers Butch Trucks Wife, Armstead Edwards: Patti LaBelles Ex- Husband, Charles Alden Black Jr.- Actress Shirley Temples Son, Jill Sutton Costas NBC Sportscaster Bob Costas Wife, Vivienne Westwood Husband Andreas Kronthaler, Francesca Hetfield Metallicas James Hetfields Wife. 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. Prosecutors have pounded on the fact that Dunn was ordering a pizza and walking his dog while Davis was being pronounced dead. However, unlike the prior trial, Rouer is no longer with Dunn. I was worried about the blind firing situation, where they would shoot over their heads, whatever, and hit me, or hit me and Rhonda.. The film is currently available from theImpact Seriesstreaming service and on Hollywood Suite on April 26. During her cross-examination of these witnesses, State Attorney Angela Corey suggested that these witnesses did not know Dunn in a capacity outside of his parents' community.The last witness to take the stand for the defense on Monday was Phyllis Austin, the ex-wife of Michael Dunn and the mother of Christopher Dunn. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. [56], Davis's story also features in the 2015 documentary film The Armor of Light, the directorial debut of Disney heir Abigail Disney. The film debates the question: "Is it possible to be both pro-gun and pro-life?" Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. The state called 27 witnesses in the trial, including the young men in the SUV with Jordan Davis and Dunn's then-fiance Rhonda Rouer, who was also there. At gunpoint? The next morning Rouer found out that Davis was dead after turning on the television news and insisted they return to their home in Satellite Beach. First Coast News has successfully fought for your access to these documents and we'll bring you more exclusive content on Thursday night at 8 p.m. during our special, Michael Dunn, fatal encounter. Controversybegan before anyone even took the stand in day three of the first-degree murder retrial on Saturday. 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.. Rhonda Rouer took the stand and started trembling and sobbing as she began to get into what happened on the night of the shooting. Rouer said the couple stopped at the Gate after the wedding to get a bottle of wine and a bag of chips. Davis' mother, Lucy McBath, ran for Congress in Georgia's 6th congressional district in 2018, running on a platform that included reform of gun laws. He wants this person to make comments on social media on his behalf. His fiance, Rhonda Rouer, says the last thing she heard him say was, "I hate that thug music." Rouer was in the convenience store when she heard gunshots, and when she ran outside, he told. Dunn and his fiance Rhonda Rouer traveled from their home in Brevard County to attend Dunn's son's wedding in Orange Park, near Jacksonville, Florida. His threats and actions left no doubt in my mind that it was firearm. Relatives. Dunn and Rouer left the wedding early in order to return to their hotel and take care of their six-month-old puppy. Davis, who was sitting in the right rear passenger seat, then told his friend to turn the music back up and cursed at Dunn. I did it in my panicked state, he said, of the later volleys. 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. [37] On November 17, 2016, his appeal was denied. Simons testified that, in her medical opinion, she did not believe Davis was outside, or leaning outside of the vehicle when he was shot. Rousey also revealed that she and her husband are planning to have a baby and that she does not know what the future holds for her. Black thug. He also asked his daughter to ask her mom to contact him as a neighbor had told someone Dunn choked her. It was life or death.. Where is Ronda Rousey and what happened to her, and is Ronda Rousey coming back to WWE are a few questions that the WWE Universe has currently. The cases were settled for an undisclosed amount in January 2014. The murder trial of the Brevard County man accused of killing a teenager over loud music continues in Jacksonville on Monday. 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]. Dunn had had three or four rum and cokes, and a few sips of champagne, she said. After Knox took the stand, four character witnesses testified for the defense. 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