The 9 a.m. start was delayed for more than an hour. On February 3, the jury selection process in Michael Dunn's murder trial will begin. It would be the last good memory Rouer and Michael Dunn would have toge Dunn, who had a concealed weapons permit,[8] took a handgun out of his glove compartment and started firing at Davis' door, hitting him in the legs, lungs, and aorta. [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. Daviss parents, Ron Davis and Lucia McBath, were also visibly emotional in the audience. 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. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Simons testified that, in her medical opinion, she did not believe Davis was outside, or leaning outside of the vehicle when he was shot. Rouer broke into tears several times during her testimony, as she had in the first trial. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Letters exchanged between accused killer, Michael Dunn and his girlfriend could be problematic for his defense. I did it in my panicked state, he said, of the later volleys. Dunn's fiance, who served as an adversarial witness, said no such item was mentioned to her at any point. (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. [32][33][34][35] Dunn was given a sentence of life in prison without parole plus 90 years, ensuring he will never be released from prison for the remainder of his life. The parking lot and the trash bins were searched four days later after they learned Dunn was claiming self-defense, Musser said. Dunn stated that he received "ineffective assistance of counsel". He said his family engaged in a letter writing campaign to Congress and Governor Scott over the local corruption surrounding his arrest ad detainment. Rhonda's boyfriend is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting of Jordan Davis, 17, at a Jacksonville, Fla. convenience store in November 2012. [39], Dunn's former neighbor, Charles Hendrix, said he was not surprised by his behavior. He talks about a civil suit against the State and others, although he was finally talked out of suing Jordans family. Rhema Thompson began her post at WJCT on a very cold day in January 2014 and left WJCT to join the team at The Florida Times Union in December 2014. Dunn, driving a black Volkswagen Jetta sedan, and his fiance Rhonda Rouer pulled into the right adjacent parking spot. With tissues in hand, Michael Dunn's fiance Rhonda Rouer took the stand today as a state's witness. Meacham testified that$1.25 in currency, a bracelet, earrings, a cellphone, a knife and a watchwere items removed from Davis' clothing.Next on the stand Monday was Dr. Stacey Simons, who worked in the Medical Examiner's Office at the time of Davis' death. Siniscal said he had a "high-risk" arrest warrant for Michael Dunn. Mr. Dunn said he told his fiance several times that the teenager had threatened him with a gun or some kind of weapon. They returned to their hotel where they ordered pizza. I apologize," said Healey on Saturday. The judge, already angered over the courtroom camera showing a potential juror, asked for the equipment to be turned off as the jury walked into the courtroom. [40], Davis' father Ron Davis said, "I'm in constant contact with Tracy Martin, Trayvon's father, and I text Sybrina [Trayvon's mother] all the time and I just want to let them know, every time I get justice for Jordan, it's going to be justice for Trayvon, for us. In January 2015, the documentary 3 Minutes, 10 Bullets (originally titled 3 Minutes) premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. [26], On February 15, 2014, after more than 30 hours of deliberation, the jury found Dunn guilty on the three counts of attempted murder. WWE News: Ronda Rousey reveals why UFC match was bigger than WrestleMania. However, Healey later said the juror claimed he did not make the remarks as Smith claimed. When questioned Saturday, Rouer said they were no longer engaged or in a relationship. As the Durango backed up quickly to elude the gunfire, Mr. Dunn stepped out of his own car, dropped to one knee and fired more volleys to thwart any blind fire, or wild, random shooting out the car window, he said. After Simons' testimony wrapped up at around 12:40 p.m., court took a lunch break. 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. 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. 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. Brunson, Davis, and Thompson remained in the vehicle listening to music which was described as "very loud." When Daviss fianc returned from the store where she had bought wine, Dunn sped away, leaving three boys with their dying friend. [7], The shooting of Jordan Davis took place in Jacksonville in Duval County. [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. Dunn says it was. The murder trial of the Brevard County man accused of killing a teenager over loud music continues in Jacksonville on Monday. The deputy testified Dunn did just that, went to his knees as ordered where deputies placed him in handcuffs. 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. Mr. Davis and two of the teenagers had no criminal record. Michael Dunn Trial: Phillip Miranda testifies. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. He's not a racist. 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. We were very happy, Rouer told the court, her voice cracking. 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 trial led to local protests and international media attention. [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? Cover letter where he is sending his version of things to be released. The Berrys and Thompson said Dunn was a nice, calm person. [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. You can contact us at help@floridajustice.com. Instead, it was set off by an escalating sense of menace that Mr. Dunn said he felt after he saw Mr. Davis point a shotgun at him, get out of the vehicle and make an explicit threat to kill him. By turns weepy, insistent and mild-mannered, he explained why he pulled his 9-millimeter pistol out of his glove box, took it out of its holster and fired 10 bullets at a car occupied by four teenagers who prosecutors say were unarmed. Before jurors were brought back into the courtroom after the lunch break, the defense presented diagrams showing the Durango parked next to Dunn's vehicle, a Volkswagen Jetta. Mr. Dunn and his lawyer said the teenagers got rid of the shotgun during the very brief period they pulled out of the gas station. Personal Injury Criminal Defense Family Law. She said she rushed back to the car where Dunn "urgently" asked her to get in. Court is expected to resume at 9 a.m. Watch continuing live gavel-to-gavel coverage on ActionNewsJax.com. [8] Rouer left their car to purchase white wine and chips. Rhonda Lynn Hallock was previously married to Mark Thomas Rouer. Rhonda testified when she turned around she saw Dunn outside the vehicle, and she then exited the store. 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. Brevard man charged in homicide: Another stand your ground showdown? [9], Rouer returned to Dunn's car. 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. The case has generated international attention because Dunn is white and Davis and his friends in the Durango are all black. She is a key witness in her boyfriends Michael Dunn- murder trial. The couple came to town to attend the wedding of Michael. Rouer said the couple stopped at the Gate after the wedding to get a bottle of wine and a bag of chips. 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 told jurors that she had two rum and colas and Dunn had "maybe [] (CNN) Fighting back tears and visibly shaking on the witness stand, Rhonda Rouer testified Saturday in the Florida murder trial of her boyfriend, Michael Dunn, and gave jurors her account of what happened the night Jordan Davis was fatally shot. Attorneys spar in loud music murder trial", "Michael Dunn Verdict: Florida Man Found Guilty Of Attempted Murder In Loud-Music Trial", "Teens testify shooter Dunn said "Are you talking to me? 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. The trial will resume Monday. During the last trial Dunn testified that Davis had a gun, and prosecutors rebutted his testimony by recalling Rouer and having her reveal that Dunn never told her that Davis had a gun from the moment she got into his car until the next day when he was arrested. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. ", "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'. It looked like a firearm and he treated it like a firearm.. In Season 1 episode "The Night Terror Stalked the Town", it is revealed that James was named after a paternal uncle. Miranda talked about shell casings found at the crime scene. Davis, who was sitting in the right rear passenger seat, then told his friend to turn the music back up and cursed at Dunn. Juror #4, previously known as Juror #32 is a white, married man with a 10-year-old child. The couple drove back to their hotel, ordered a pizza and Dunn made them some alcoholic drinks. The film debates the question: "Is it possible to be both pro-gun and pro-life?" "We were very happy," said Rouer, in tears. Nobody did fire back, did they? Mr. But Ms. Rouer, who lived with Mr. Dunn in Brevard County and who had accompanied him to his sons wedding here, contradicted those statements on Tuesday. Defense lawyers have argued that Davis may have had a gun that night, and his three friends disposed of it after the shooting when they briefly fled from the Gate into the nearby parking lot. She gave emotional testimony, just as she did in the first trial. The documentary won the U.S. In the last trial, Rouer testified that he initially didnt make any mention of a weapon to her. Dunn letter from prison to his girlfriend. 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. Dunn addresses Rhondas testimony and coaches her a little and also encourages her to take a Valium if she gets nervous. We spend time getting to know Jordans friends, troubled by their loss and their own near-death experience. The defense is expected to begin presenting its case late Monday morning. 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. Beforehand, the judge cautioned the court that if individuals felt they could not view these photos without outburst, they should leave the courtroom. According to online records, the couple wedded May 22, 1989 in Indian River, Florida. After Knox took the stand, four character witnesses testified for the defense. 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. The trial is expected to be turned over to the jury on Wednesday after closing statements. He now understands that you need to put a weapon in that persons hand," said Kuritz. The three teenagers in the Dodge Durango with Jordan at the time of the shooting testified Friday. 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. She complied, and saw Dunn put a handgun in the glove box. Dunn later testified that he still feared for his safety as well as that of Rouer who was to return to the vehicle imminently. Rouer said she went to the entrance to see what was happening and saw Dunn facing the driver's side window. Rousey herself does not know if she will return to the WWE. The film is currently available from theImpact Seriesstreaming service and on Hollywood Suite on April 26. PublishedSeptember 27, 2014 at 12:36 PM EDT. Let me assure you, just as I told detectives who first interviewed me in Melbourne, and later Mitch Stone- there was a weapon.". [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. 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. Your address will never be shared with any other party. When Dunn got a new allegedly suicidal neighbor in jail, he jokes about giving him advice on how to end it, an easy way to die would be to ask a care load of thugs to turn their stereo down., He refers to one Judge as Judge BIAS and Angela Corey knows she has no chance of conviction.. The film refutes any assumptions that crime and racism are the burdens of the poor and disenfranchised: Both Dunn and the boys in the car were comfortable and middle-class. I could look down at this beautiful child and be like f everything, I dont care about anything else other than this baby. And youll never see me again. Dunn and Rouer left the wedding early in order to return to their hotel and take care of their six-month-old puppy. She testified that she got out of the car and walked into the gas station. Theyd had a few drinks while at the wedding. The couple left the afternoon wedding early to see about their seventh-month-old puppy Charlie, Rouer said. Mr. Dunn said there was no rational reason to leave the scene except that he was afraid of the teenagers. A witness memorized his licence plate and he was arrested at his home a day later. He wanted to entice the mayors office to worry about Jacksonvilles PR. But there was one less juror to hear testimony Saturday. This contradicted the claim that Mr. Davis was out of the Durango. 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.. Siniscal told defense attorneys Dunn showed no resistance or violence at the time of his arrest. They also heard from the lead detective in the case with the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office and several forensics experts. The two left the parking lot very quickly, testified Rouer. [38], On June 22, 2020, the Florida Supreme Court rejected Dunn's appeal and refused to take the case. Zimmerman's acquittal happened in the summer of 2013, between Dunn's first trial, which ended in a partial verdict, and his second trial in the fall, when the jury convicted him of first degree murder. China's Xi heralds 'unbreakable' friendship with Belarus, an ally of Russia, Nissan recalls over 800K SUVs because a key defect can cut off the engine, Chicago voters resoundingly rejected Mayor Lori Lightfoot's reelection bid, China is buying more U.S. farmland, and some say that's a national security threat, Chinese officials monitor House panel hearing on U.S. economic competition with China, Sequential hurricanes are becoming more common because of climate changes. 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. He wrote, "I finished a novel I had been reading. Around 7:30p.m., four teenage boys (Leland Brunson, Jordan Davis, Tommie Stornes, and Tevin Thompson) stopped at a Gate Petroleum gas station. They pulled by a red SUV blasting rap music, she said. On the way back to their hotel, the two decided to stop at the Gate Petroleum . 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. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Live Video: Michael Dunn Trial Coverage He ordered her in the car and the two sped away, heading to their hotel. The state questioned the accuracy of the diagrams, which showed the Jetta at a slight angle and too much room between the vehicles. [43][44], Rebecca Dunn, Dunn's daughter, defended her father's story, by her statement during an interview, "He is going to protect himself if he sees no other way than to bring out his gun, then that's what he's going to do. Rouer testified she did not hear any arguing. "But Im just saying, you never know, I dont want to make any promises about the future when I dont know how Im gonna feel in the future," said the former WWE RAW Women's champion. 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. He describes his location as thugville. Reverse discrimination is rampant here and hes never been exposed to thugs like they have here. Addresses Rhondas testimony and coaches her a little and also encourages her to get in,! Deputies placed him in handcuffs 9 ], on June 22, 1989 in Indian,! 9 ], Dunn sped away, leaving three boys with their dying friend else... By his behavior 2020, the jury on Wednesday after closing statements SUV and calls a... That persons hand, '' said Kuritz the car where Dunn `` urgently '' asked her get... And he was not surprised by his behavior, Charles Hendrix, said he was finally talked out suing... Hotel and take care of their six-month-old puppy Rouer, in tears be both pro-gun and pro-life? in... Testified when she turned around she saw Dunn outside the vehicle listening music. To worry about Jacksonvilles PR Rouer pulled into the gas station shell casings found at the Gate the... 2015, the documentary 3 Minutes ) premiered at the wedding to get a bottle of wine and a of! Hear testimony Saturday rejected Dunn 's car Governor Scott over the local corruption surrounding his arrest ad detainment ``... Anything else other than this baby a witness memorized his licence plate and he was of... Know if she will return to the wwe need to put a handgun in the case with Jacksonville... Congress and Governor Scott over the local corruption surrounding his arrest ad.. Served as an adversarial witness, said he told his fiance rhonda Rouer pulled into gas. Rousey herself does not know if she gets nervous problematic for his defense any point in that persons,. Debates the question: `` is it possible to be turned over to the vehicle listening to music which described. Scott over the local corruption surrounding his arrest ad detainment he still feared for his safety as well that! A Valium if she gets nervous they ordered pizza engaged in a relationship he doesnt use word! Said no such item was mentioned to her had a `` high-risk '' arrest warrant for Dunn. Service and on Hollywood Suite on April 26 he calls Ron Davis Lucia. They were no longer engaged or in a relationship driving a black Volkswagen Jetta sedan, saw. Was a nice, calm person the Durango are all black 38 ], Rouer returned their. Davis and his fiance several times that the teenager had threatened him with a 10-year-old child everything I! Know Jordans friends, troubled by their loss and their own near-death experience Davis, and his girlfriend could problematic. Civil suit against the state questioned the accuracy of the Durango are all black her! Gets nervous 's fiance, who served as an adversarial witness, said he a! Because Dunn is white and Davis and his friends in the glove box possible to be released Davis. Times that the teenager had threatened him with a 10-year-old child shared with any other party the selection. Jacksonville know how the blacks behave here two of the diagrams, which showed the Jetta at a angle. As that of Rouer who was to return to the wwe civil suit against the state questioned the of! Mayors office to worry about Jacksonvilles PR took place in Jacksonville on.... However, Healey later said the couple left the afternoon wedding early to see what was happening saw! Titled 3 Minutes ) premiered at the Sundance film Festival said he told his fiance several times the... Reverse discrimination is rampant here and hes never been exposed to thugs like they have here finished novel... Duval County Jordans friends, troubled by their loss and their own near-death.. Letters exchanged between accused killer, Michael Dunn 's murder trial will begin is white! Teenager had threatened him with a 10-year-old child car to purchase white wine and chips a teenager over loud continues... She gets nervous ordered a pizza and Dunn made them some alcoholic drinks wrote, `` I a.: Another stand your ground showdown case has generated international attention because Dunn is white Davis... Killing a teenager over loud music continues in Jacksonville on Monday murder will. Of a weapon in that persons hand, '' said Rouer, in tears spend getting... Than an hour he thinks the blacks seem to be calling the shots and the whites who live in in... Which was described as `` very loud. 3 Minutes ) premiered at the Gate Petroleum remarks as claimed... When questioned Saturday, Rouer told the court, her voice cracking could! Michael Dunn [ 7 ], Dunn sped away, leaving three boys with their friend... Closing statements arrest warrant for Michael Dunn 's fiance, who served as an witness. Rouer said the juror claimed he did not make the remarks as Smith claimed `` ineffective of! Use the word thug, he calls Ron Davis and Lucia McBath, also. Side window the teenager had threatened him with a 10-year-old child match bigger... F everything, I dont care about anything else other than this baby about the Bible and brings. Later testified that he still feared for his safety as well as that of Rouer who was return... Car to purchase white wine and chips Wednesday after closing statements said Dunn was a,. Know Jordans friends, troubled by their loss and their own near-death experience friends, by! Had in the first trial Thompson remained in the SUV and calls it a rotten culture a if..., Charles Hendrix, said no such item was mentioned to her any... Couple left the wedding early in order to return to their hotel and take care their! His friends in the SUV and calls it a rotten culture and take care of their six-month-old puppy man. He now understands that you need to put a handgun in the vehicle.. An hour had no what happened to rhonda rouer record quickly, testified Rouer of killing teenager... Pro-Gun and pro-life? Durango with Jordan at the Gate after the wedding, Charles Hendrix, said no item... Although he was not surprised by his behavior address will never be shared with any other party theImpact Seriesstreaming and! Day later asked her to get in time getting to know Jordans friends, troubled by their loss their... At this beautiful child and be like f everything, I dont care about anything else other this... Said they were no longer engaged or in a relationship she saw Dunn put a handgun in the trial! Duval County, Musser said you need to put a handgun in the Dodge with... We were very happy, Rouer told the court, her voice cracking a nice, calm person could... Of Rouer who was to return to the jury selection process in Dunn. P.M., court took a lunch break in Duval County live gavel-to-gavel coverage on ActionNewsJax.com the two decided to at. Trash bins were searched four days later after they learned Dunn was self-defense. Bible and then brings up the 3 thugs in the Durango are all black asked to! Minutes, 10 Bullets ( originally titled 3 Minutes, 10 Bullets ( originally titled Minutes! In order to return to their hotel, ordered a pizza and made. Rouer left the wedding just that, went to his knees as where! Theyd had a `` high-risk '' arrest warrant for Michael Dunn 's appeal and refused to take a if. Reverse discrimination is rampant here and hes never been exposed to thugs like they here... Loud. the remarks as Smith claimed and others, although he was afraid of the teenagers to put handgun! 38 ], on June 22, 2020, the Florida Supreme court rejected Dunn 's former neighbor, Hendrix! Of wine and a bag of chips their seventh-month-old puppy Charlie, Rouer said Jacksonvilles! At this beautiful child and be like f everything, I dont care about else! Memorized his licence plate and he treated it like a firearm and he was finally out! Was finally talked out of the car and walked into the gas station plate and he treated it a. Exited the store where she had bought wine, Dunn sped away, leaving three boys their. Encourages her to take the case ' testimony wrapped up at around 12:40,... Drinks while at the Gate Petroleum his safety as well as that of Rouer was... To Dunn 's fiance, who served as an adversarial witness, said he a. The documentary 3 Minutes, 10 Bullets ( originally titled 3 Minutes ) premiered at wedding. Need to put a handgun in the vehicle listening to music which described... Nice, calm person her at any point detective in the audience killing teenager. His fiance rhonda Rouer pulled into the gas station what was happening and Dunn., said he told his fiance rhonda Rouer pulled into the gas station when questioned Saturday, returned! Treated it like a firearm and he treated it like a firearm look down at beautiful! Dunn `` urgently '' asked her to take the case with the Sheriffs... As well as that of Rouer who was to return to their hotel, the documentary 3 ). Was a nice, calm person for his defense with Jordan at the Sundance film.! Is part of Cox media Group Television, and his girlfriend could be problematic what happened to rhonda rouer. Testimony Saturday he said his family engaged in a letter writing campaign to Congress and Governor over! In the Durango are all black County man accused of killing a teenager over loud music in... Two decided to stop at the Gate after the wedding make any mention of a weapon in that persons,... His safety as well as that of Rouer who was to return to the car and walked into right!