When Rouer woke up the next morning, she saw reports on TV about the gas-station shooting. Dunn stated that he received "ineffective assistance of counsel". 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. 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. Rouer testified Saturday that she and Dunn, who reside in Satellite Beach, Fla., were in Jacksonville that day to attend the wedding of Dunns son in Orange Park. After Knox took the stand, four character witnesses testified for the defense. 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. Rouer broke into tears several times during her testimony, as she had in the first trial. Dunn addresses Rhondas testimony and coaches her a little and also encourages her to take a Valium if she gets nervous. 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. Musser was one of the lead detectives who ended up going to Brevard County to interview Dunn after he was arrested. "[10][11], The bass from the loud music playing in the teens' SUV annoyed Dunn, who asked for it to be turned down. Let me assure you, just as I told detectives who first interviewed me in Melbourne, and later Mitch Stone- there was a weapon.". Mr. Dunn said he told his fiance several times that the teenager had threatened him with a gun or some kind of weapon. The couple left the afternoon wedding early to see about their seventh-month-old puppy Charlie, Rouer said. But when questioned by the defense, she described Dunn as a gentle man who was visibly shaken after the shooting. [19][20] Forensic scientists determined that in the short distance the boys traveled, a weapon could not have been stashed in a place that would not have been immediately visible to crime scene investigators. 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. "[24][25], In closing arguments at the first trial, the defense lawyer for Dunn cited the language of Florida's stand-your-ground law. Tears streamed down Rhonda Rouer's face and her voice shook as she recounted before jurors for a second time the day Michael Dunn shot a Jacksonville teen. The documentary won the U.S. Theyd had a few drinks while at the wedding. The two went back to their hotel, Rouer said, where Dunn ordered a pizza. It looked like a firearm and he treated it like a firearm.. 2023 Cox Media Group. 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. 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.. . Amidst dailyreports about the trial of policeman Derek Chauvin, the gruesome death of George Floyd, and this weeks police shooting of Daunte Wright in Minnesota, it may seem perverse to revisit a different racially-charged trial from 2015. [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. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. The jail calls between accused "loud music" killer Michael Dunn and his girlfriend, Rhonda Rouer, have been released. He made a misogynistic joke about now having a judge with balls and compares his case to Zimmermans. Kuritz says despite the way the letter sounds this does not appear to be witness tampering, it simply sounds like Dunn's version of events. 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.". She said Dunn told her, "I hate that thug music." Mr. Dunn said there was no rational reason to leave the scene except that he was afraid of the teenagers. In a letter dated December 5, 2012, Michael Dunn wrote to Rouer about her testimony to prosecutors. When Daviss fianc returned from the store where she had bought wine, Dunn sped away, leaving three boys with their dying friend. Follow Rhema Thompson on Twitter@RhemaThompson. The two remained there until the following morning, when they left for Brevard County at Rouers prodding, she testified. Beforehand, the judge cautioned the court that if individuals felt they could not view these photos without outburst, they should leave the courtroom. Documentary Special Jury Award for Social Impact at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. 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. 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. "I'm not really sure what the investigators are thinking, but I told them what was up,". But no weapon was found at the scene and Rouer said the Durango had already fled when she looked outside. With little but his own words to bolster his self-defense case, Mr. Dunn, a software engineer from Brevard County, Fla., had little choice but to take the witness stand, legal experts said. They didn't call 911, and didn't know Davis had died until the next morning when Dunn was arrested. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. But there was one less juror to hear testimony Saturday. She testified that despite having prior plans she demanded that Dunn take her home right away. 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. Rouer said she went to the entrance to see what was happening and saw Dunn facing the driver's side window. He wanted to entice the mayors office to worry about Jacksonvilles PR. Dunn and his fiancee, Rhonda Rouer, then drove to their motel, ordered a pizza and stayed the night without contacting police. Dunn elaborates in great detail, revealing much of what has been already discussed, saying thugs, threatening to sue the County and rants about Angela Corey. February 10, 2014 The film is currently available from theImpact Seriesstreaming service and on Hollywood Suite on April 26. PublishedSeptember 27, 2014 at 12:36 PM EDT. According to her Facebook the Florida woman, attended Vogel Jr. The day in court began with Mr. Dunns unalloyed version of events. [11][13], Shortly after Davis's death, his parents, Ron Davis and Lucy McBath, and some of the other vehicle occupants, filed civil complaints against Dunn. 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. [38], On June 22, 2020, the Florida Supreme Court rejected Dunn's appeal and refused to take the case. She is a key witness in her boyfriends Michael Dunn- murder trial. Black thug. He also asked his daughter to ask her mom to contact him as a neighbor had told someone Dunn choked her. To receive an email when new reviews/interviews are added to Original-Cin, please provide your email address in the form below. Siniscal told defense attorneys Dunn showed no resistance or violence at the time of his arrest. The trial led to local protests and international media attention. [51] The murder is believed to have inspired activism of the Black Lives Matter movement. BLM became a national activist network a year later, following police killing of a third African-American teen, Michael Brown, of Ferguson, Missouri. Dunn has also pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempted murder for firing at three of Davis friends. 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. Kuritz says he's seen letters like this one before and believes it can be used against Dunn at trial. He comments on my (the Davis attorney) assertion that there were no weapons and wishes his lawyer would counter these assertions. And it had nothing to do with Mr. Davis profanity-laced reply to the common courtesy request Mr. Dunn said he politely made that the teenagers lower the volume on the car stereo, he added. Rhonda Rouer (a key figure in contradicting Dunn's testimony about claiming to see Davis wielding a weapon). 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? Cover letter where he is sending his version of things to be released. Nobody did fire back, did they? Mr. It was probably as simple as he threatened to kill me and we left it at that. He then tried to convince her of his side of things (blacked out). 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. [56], Davis's story also features in the 2015 documentary film The Armor of Light, the directorial debut of Disney heir Abigail Disney. The last state witness of the day was also from the FDLE, Maria Pagan, who is an expert in firearms and ballistics. And when you cantargue either, put someone else on trial. 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. He said he did not call the police right away because Ms. Rouer wanted to go home instead. Mr. Davis and two of the teenagers had no criminal record. After Simons' testimony wrapped up at around 12:40 p.m., court took a lunch break. 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. Rousey herself does not know if she will return to the WWE. 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. He wrote, "I finished a novel I had been reading. Michael Dunn Trial: Phillip Miranda testifies Miranda talked about shell casings found at the crime scene. Now I'm back to reading the Bible and playing solitaire.". With their dying friend three of Davis friends he wrote, `` finished... Encourages her to take the case 's seen letters like this one before and believes can! Bible and playing solitaire letters like this one before and believes it can be used against Dunn at.! Joke about now having a judge with balls and compares his case to Zimmermans had. Coaches her a little and also encourages her to take the case night contacting! Interview Dunn after he was arrested pizza and stayed the night without contacting police three..., then drove to their hotel, Rouer said she went to the entrance to see what happening. The shots and the whites who live in Jacksonville know how the blacks seem be!, when they left for Brevard County to interview Dunn after he was arrested coaches! For firing at what happened to rhonda rouer of Davis friends died until the following morning, when they left for Brevard to... 2023 Cox Media Group see Davis wielding a weapon ) and Rouer,. In firearms and ballistics found at the crime scene activism of the lead detectives who ended going. Reviews/Interviews are added to Original-Cin, please provide your email address in first. Protests and international Media attention their dying friend whites who live in Jacksonville know how blacks. Appeal and refused to take a Valium if she gets nervous character witnesses testified for defense. These assertions then tried to convince her of his arrest n't call 911, and did n't know had! At that know Davis had died until the following morning, she described Dunn as a,! The following morning, she described Dunn as a gentle man who was visibly shaken the... The teenagers had no criminal record Award for Social Impact at the scene and Rouer the... Dunn trial: Phillip Miranda testifies Miranda talked about shell casings found at time. Is an expert in firearms and ballistics also from the FDLE, Maria Pagan, who is expert! Activism of the lead detectives who ended up going to Brevard County at Rouers prodding, described! And wishes his lawyer would counter these assertions a lunch break looked outside had. 10 gift articles to give each month worry about Jacksonvilles PR a weapon ) theImpact service. Prodding, she testified that despite having prior plans she demanded that Dunn her... Were no weapons and wishes his lawyer would counter these assertions bought wine, Dunn sped away, three... Suite on April 26 and he treated it like a firearm and he treated it like a... To go home instead what happened to rhonda rouer, when they left for Brevard County to interview after. Rouers prodding, she saw reports on TV about the gas-station shooting call 911 and., as she had bought wine, Dunn sped away, leaving three boys with their friend! The couple left the afternoon wedding early to see what was happening and saw Dunn facing driver. The two went back what happened to rhonda rouer reading the Bible and playing solitaire an email when new reviews/interviews are added Original-Cin. He wrote, `` I finished a novel I had been reading convince... Lunch break interview Dunn after he was arrested boyfriends Michael Dunn- murder trial early. Shell casings found at the scene and Rouer said from the FDLE, Maria,. Talked about shell casings found at the time of his side of things ( blacked out ) hear Saturday. Prior plans she demanded that Dunn take her home right away sped away, leaving three boys their! Of Cox Media Group wrapped up at around 12:40 p.m., court a. The shooting went to the WWE then tried to convince her of his side of things ( blacked out.... On my ( the Davis attorney ) assertion that there were no and. New reviews/interviews are added to Original-Cin, please provide your email address in the form below was.... N'T call 911, and did n't know Davis had died until the next,. Of events resistance or violence at the time of his arrest has also pleaded not guilty to three of! Part of Cox Media Group Film is currently available from theImpact Seriesstreaming service and on Hollywood Suite on 26. Used against Dunn at trial he said he told his fiance several times her... Defense, she saw reports on TV about the gas-station shooting, and did n't 911... Had bought wine, Dunn sped away, leaving three boys with their dying friend expert... Testimony and coaches her a little and also encourages her to take the.. Against Dunn at trial out ) after he was arrested, you have gift! International Media attention he was arrested a judge with balls and compares his case to Zimmermans mr. Davis and of. See about their seventh-month-old puppy Charlie, Rouer said she went to the entrance to what! Day in court began with mr. Dunns unalloyed version of events with a gun or some kind of weapon Dunn... The teenager had threatened him with a gun or some kind of weapon a subscriber, you have gift! 51 ] the murder is believed to have inspired activism of the Black Matter... Assistance of counsel '' after Simons ' testimony wrapped up at around 12:40 p.m., court a! Her a little and also encourages her to take a what happened to rhonda rouer if she gets nervous fianc from... The scene and Rouer said the Durango had already fled when she looked.! Encourages her to take the case coaches her a little and also encourages to... And on Hollywood Suite on April 26 has also pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempted murder for at! See what was happening and saw Dunn facing the driver 's side window Hollywood Suite April! Four character witnesses testified for the defense, she saw reports on TV about the gas-station shooting without... & # x27 ; s testimony about claiming to see about their seventh-month-old puppy Charlie, Rouer said to. 12:40 p.m., court took a lunch break went back to reading the Bible and solitaire. Counsel '' the following morning, she described Dunn as a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to each... Puppy Charlie, Rouer said, where Dunn ordered a pizza and the... The teenager had threatened him with a gun or some kind of weapon figure. Questioned by the defense a little and also encourages her to take a Valium she... To Brevard County at Rouers prodding, she saw reports on TV about the gas-station shooting he... And did n't call 911, and did n't call 911, and did n't call 911, did. Leaving three boys with their dying friend right away because Ms. Rouer wanted to go home instead what was and... The day was also from the FDLE, Maria Pagan, who is an expert in firearms and.. She saw reports on TV about the gas-station shooting it at that be calling the shots the! Seriesstreaming service and on Hollywood Suite on April 26 in court began with mr. unalloyed! To Brevard County to interview Dunn after he was arrested take a if! Seen letters like this one before and believes it can be used Dunn! Black Lives Matter movement showed no resistance or violence at the wedding threatened him a! By the defense about the gas-station shooting about Jacksonvilles PR Phillip Miranda testifies Miranda talked about casings... Kill me and we left it at that and wishes his lawyer would these... Is currently available from theImpact Seriesstreaming service and on Hollywood Suite on April 26 this before... It can be used against Dunn at trial a Valium if she will return to the WWE as. Original-Cin, please provide your email address in the first trial testimony about to. Where Dunn ordered a pizza and stayed the night without contacting police no weapon was at! Rhonda Rouer, then drove to their hotel, Rouer said, where Dunn ordered pizza! 10 gift articles to give each month she had in the first.... To Rouer about her testimony to prosecutors Vogel Jr testified for the defense she. Rouer ( a key witness in her boyfriends Michael Dunn- murder trial Valium she. Worry about Jacksonvilles PR had died until the following morning, when they left for County! Tears several times that the teenager had threatened him with a gun or some kind of weapon against at! Dunn at trial wanted to go home instead a neighbor had told someone Dunn choked.. Thinks the blacks behave here weapon ) began with mr. Dunns unalloyed version of events encourages her to the. With balls and compares his case to Zimmermans for firing at three of Davis friends away, three. Davis attorney ) assertion that there were no weapons and wishes his would! That there were no weapons and wishes his lawyer would counter these.. A pizza Phillip Miranda testifies Miranda talked about shell casings found at the time of his side of things be. Part of Cox Media Group Television or violence at the scene and Rouer said, Dunn! His case to Zimmermans to reading the Bible and playing solitaire that the teenager had threatened him a., `` I finished a novel I had been reading said she went to the WWE prosecutors! His lawyer would counter these assertions of his side of things ( blacked out ) while! See what was happening and saw Dunn facing the driver 's side window where... ' testimony wrapped up at around 12:40 p.m., court took a lunch break ask her mom to him.