At that point, he said, his mind was on his fiance, Rhonda Rouer, who was about to walk out of the convenience store. Saying, "I then realized that we hadn't really discussed what happened, as we were more concerned with whether or not anyone was hurt. 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. 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. Simons testified that the cause of Davis' death was multiple gunshot wounds and the manner of his death was a homicide. Rouer said she had a glass of red wine and about three rum and cokes as well as champagne. 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]. BLM became a national activist network a year later, following police killing of a third African-American teen, Michael Brown, of Ferguson, Missouri. Court will not be in session on Sunday and will resume Monday at 9 a.m.Watch continuinglive gavel-to-gavel coverage on ActionNewsJax.com. Testimony began with the Brevard County Deputy Carmine Siniscal on the stand, the state's 19th witness. She testified that despite having prior plans she demanded that Dunn take her home right away. 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. Also Read: WWE News: Ronda Rousey reveals why UFC match was bigger than WrestleMania, Booker T just voted in the Sportskeeda Wrestling Awards. On the way back to their hotel, the two decided to stop at the Gate Petroleum gas station to purchase a bottle of wine. While at the cashier's counter, Rouer heard the sound of gunshots. . ", "Jury Fails to Reach Verdict on Murder Charge in Michael DunnTrail", "Florida Man's Fiance Contradicts Parts of his Testimony in Killing of Teenager", "Song played in Jordan Davis shooting revealed", "Friends describe moments before Jordan Davis died", "Michael Dunn 'Loud Music' Verdict: Mistrial For First-Degree Murder Charge Causes Outrage", "Michael Dunn testifies; fiancee says he never told her about gun; closings Wednesday", "Michael Dunn's girlfriend: 'I heard pop, pop, pop'. She started by telling Assistant State Attorney Erin Wolfson that they had a good day that . Musser was one of the lead detectives who ended up going to Brevard County to interview Dunn after he was arrested. 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. [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. Davis, who was sitting in the right rear passenger seat, then told his friend to turn the music back up and cursed at Dunn. The prosecutor, John Guy, expressing incredulity during his cross-examination, also picked apart Mr. Dunns testimony. We hear from Jordan's . [7], The shooting of Jordan Davis took place in Jacksonville in Duval County. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. These letters were written by Michael Dunn in jail and show a different side than you heard from him and his lawyers. "It clearly appears that Mr. Dunn is trying to refresh the recollection of his girlfriend or simply trying to tell her what she needs to say," said Kuritz. This, according to Rhonda Rouer's testimony, is what her fiance, Michael Dunn, said when they pulled into a Jacksonville gas station next to an SUV full of black kids who had the stereo up high . Meet 46-year-old Rhonda Lynn Hallock Rouer. He calls the civil suit we filed bogus. The murder trial of the Brevard County man accused of killing a teenager over loud music continues in Jacksonville on Monday. It was the perfect time to come in a little hot!". The films title indicates the brevity of the interaction from around 7:30 to 7:33 on a Friday evening and the estimated number of bullets fired. In the last trial, Rouer testified that he initially didnt make any mention of a weapon to her. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. The Berrys said they would often see Dunn socially for breakfasts on the weekends and through flying-related events.Following the Berrys was Frank Thompson, who also lived in Aero Acres and saw Dunn socially and in a pilot capacity. The deputy said he armed himself with an AR-15 rifle and his sidearm to make the arrest, saying it part of the department's tactics when there is a "high-risk" arrest warrant involved. Toxic Torts, Environmental Contamination and Cancer Clusters, Entertainment Law / Sports Law / Athlete Management, Estate of Keegan Roberts v. Michael Centanni, Justice for Anne McQueen (Don Lewis from Tiger King), Estate of Gregory Hill versus the Sheriff of St. Lucie County and Deputy Newman, Watch what Michael Dunns neighbor had to say about him, Review over 400 photos of the physical evidence for yourself. It's possible Dunn could take the stand in his own defense. Letters exchanged between accused killer, Michael Dunn and his girlfriend could be problematic for his defense. 2023 Cox Media Group. According to her Facebook the Florida woman, attended Vogel Jr. Kuritz says if Rouer's testimony changes on the stand and more closely sounds like what she's been told in letters from Dunn, that could present a problem for the defense. He discusses how he wants to find a slimy civil law lawyer and sue the county for reverse discrimination. He makes a joke to his grandmother about women being interested in his fiance, and then told his grandmother he could fall into a pile of shit and step out smelling like a rose. About the case, he discusses the misinformation and outright lies being reported by the media. Despite saying he doesnt use the word thug, on page 6 he uses it to his own grandmother and specifically calls the surviving boys, thugs.. "I don't want anybody figuring out who this guy is," Healey said. The documentary, directed by Marc Silver, explores the shooting, the trial, and Florida's Stand Your Ground laws. Dunn was originally tried for murder in February. I did it in my panicked state, he said, of the later volleys. 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. Stornes left his red Dodge Durango SUV running while he went into the store. Mr. Davis and two of the teenagers had no criminal record. He wanted to entice the mayors office to worry about Jacksonvilles PR. Dramatic Testimony in Florida Stand Your Ground Trial Michael Dunn's fiance Rhonda Rouer takes the stand as a witness for the prosecution. Another man who was considered for jury selection but didn't get on the jury told Folio Weekly that the man who got onto the jury spoke derisively about State Attorney Angela Corey's competence. Rouer, Dunn's former girlfriend, was the fifth witness to take the stand in the third day of testimony of the murder retrial. Rouer recalled Dunn's first words to her. We spend time getting to know Jordans friends, troubled by their loss and their own near-death experience. A witness memorized his licence plate and he was arrested at his home a day later. You can contact us at help@floridajustice.com. [52][53] During the 2016 Democratic National Convention, Davis' mother, Lucy McBath, talked about supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and said, "His death doesn't overshadow his life."[54]. If her boyfriend is convicted he could face life in jail. He comments on my (the Davis attorney) assertion that there were no weapons and wishes his lawyer would counter these assertions. Dunn was found guilty on October 1, 2014, at the conclusion of the retrial. February 10, 2014 Neither parent could have predicted what happened to Jordan the next day, or that it would spark one of the more galvanizing criminal trials in recent memory. Defense lawyers pressed Musser about his failure to search the adjacent parking lot at the Gate the night of the shooting, and also asked him why the interviews with Davis' three friends the night of the shooting weren't videotaped. The film debates the question: "Is it possible to be both pro-gun and pro-life?" Rouer testified the couple went home to Brevard County after the shooting. July 2, 2013 - Letter to Rhonda He is still referring to his "demands" to his lawyer Cory Strolla and Cory apparently was determined to withdraw if Dunn continued to force him into a premature trial date and again refers to "Davis' history with authority figures," as if he was one. At gunpoint? [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. The defense is expected to begin presenting its case late Monday morning. On February 15, a jury of twelve deadlocked on whether or not Michael Dunn, an armed and inebriated adult, committed murder by killing unarmed 17-year-old Jordan Davis. The man sitting in the front passenger seat complied. They also said the police had failed to thoroughly search the surrounding area, including trash bins close to the parking lot. Rhonda laughed a bit before grabbing her boyfriend's hand as they continued to walk together. Rouer may return again. 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. Related Story: Transcript of hearing to excuse juror #4 released. Tears streamed down Rhonda Rouers face and her voice shook as she recounted before jurors for a second time the day Michael Dunn shot a Jacksonville teen. 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's clearly reiterating there was a weapon there, there was a weapon there.". 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. The derogatory comments came in aFolio Weekly interviewwith an excused potential juror. Rhonda Rouer (a key figure in contradicting Dunn's testimony about claiming to see Davis wielding a weapon). Dunns attorneys contend 17-year-old Davis was the aggressor, saying the teenagers had a gun in the SUV that night in 2012 at a Southside gas station, but a gun was never recovered from the scene. She said Dunn told her, "I hate that thug music." 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. He describes his location as thugville. Reverse discrimination is rampant here and hes never been exposed to thugs like they have here. Rouer and Dunn pulled up to the Gate gas station on Baymeadows Road, next to a red Dodge Durango. Dunn's fiance, who served as an adversarial witness, said no such item was mentioned to her at any point. Rhonda testified when she turned around she saw Dunn outside the vehicle, and she then exited the store. Siniscal said he asked Dunn to come out of his home shirtless and with his hands up. 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. 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. WTEV's Leslie Coursey reports on what's on the tapes. 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. The Folio writer confirmed to Action News at 12:35 p.m. that it was his article that led to the dismissal of juror #4. Theyd had a few drinks while at the wedding. Dunn letter from prison to his girlfriend. "[45][46] She described Dunn as "a good man. The trial is expected to be turned over to the jury on Wednesday after closing statements. 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. A former Folio staffer who was a potential juror but did not make the final cut heard the juror criticize State Attorney Angela Corey during jury selection, according to Folio. 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