Jury selection began on Monday, February 3, in the trial of Michael Dunn, who is charged with first-degree murder for the death of Florida teen Jordan Davis over a dispute for loud music.
Dunn also faces three counts of attempted first-degree murder for shooting at three other teenagers.
The circumstances of the high-profile trial are similar to the Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman case. The case will be tried by the same prosecutor, State Attorney Angela Corey. Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges resulting in a public outcry with marches and rallies reported around the country. February 5, 2014 would have been Martin’s 19th birthday.
Florida’s controversial “Stand Your Ground” law will be a major factor in the outcome of Dunn’s murder trial. As in the trial against Zimmerman, Dunn’s defense team will argue self-defense as justifiable homicide. Both of the teens, Martin and Davis, were unarmed at the time of their deaths.
Dunn told authorities he had asked the teens to turn down the music from their car radio that was parked next to his at a Jacksonville gas station. In statements to police, Dunn said he “reacted after having seen a gun barrel in the window of the teen’s car and after hearing a profanity-laced string of threats against him and his girlfriend while the teens motioned they were opening the door,” according to CNN.
Police statements say at least eight shots were fired into the car carrying the teenagers. The shots killed Davis and wounded several other passengers, all teenagers.
A gun was not found during a police search of the teens’ car.
After the shooting, Dunn and his girlfriend left the scene out of fear that the teens were gang members and that other violence would follow, Dunn’s attorney, Robin Lemonidis said.
“When all the evidence has been flushed out, I believe that it will be extremely clear that Mr. Dunn acted as any responsible firearm owner would have under the same circumstances,” Lemonidis added.
Given the outcome of Zimmerman’s murder trial, do you think State Attorney Corey is the right person to try Dunn?