Dunn convicted of attempted murder; hung jury on murder in 'loud-music' trial

[Penny Lane 8,159]

acksonville, Florida (CNN) -- A jury on Saturday night convicted a Florida man on four charges related to his shooting into an SUV full of teenagers during an argument over loud music, but could not decide on the most serious charge -- murder.

Michael Dunn was found guilty on four charges, including three for attempted second-degree murder, which could land him behind bars for decades. But they couldn't reach a verdict on the most significant charge: first-degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Jordan Davis.

As the decisions became clear about 7 p.m. Saturday, Dunn looked ahead solemnly with a frown but no tears. His lawyer, Cory Strolla, told reporters later that his client was "in disbelief."

"Even as he sat next to me, he asked, how is this happening," Strolla said. "... It has not set in. I don't think it will set in anytime soon."

The incomplete finale to this emotional, hot-button trial -- partly because of the fact Dunn is white and the teenagers who were shot at, including Davis, are black -- echoed George Zimmerman's trial for the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin about 120 miles down the road in Sanford, Florida. While stand your ground wasn't used by Dunn, his lawyers did argue that he fired in self-defense.

With the partially hung jury, State Attorney Angela Corey said prosecutors would press for a new trial in Duval County on the murder charge.

"Justice for Jordan Davis is as important as it is for any victim," Corey said.

Even without a final decision on that count -- and pending defense appeals -- the 47-year-old Dunn appears set to face a lengthy prison term.

Prosecutor Erin Wolfson explained Saturday night that each attempted second-degree murder conviction carries a minimum sentence of at least 20 years. There's also a 15-year sentence possible on the conviction for shooting in the teenager's vehicle.

Earlier Saturday, Judge Russell Healey acknowledged that the jury of four white women, two black women, four white men, an Asian woman and a Hispanic man was "struggling, obviously."

"But it's not for want of trying to reconcile all of this," he said then. "I think we've got some analytical people in there who are trying to do just that -- trying to analyze this from every possible angle."

Davis' mother, Lucia McBath, said that even without a decision on the murder count tied to her son, her family is "so very happy to have just a little bit of closure."

"It's sad for Mr. Dunn that he will live the rest of his life in that sense of torment, and I will pray for him," McBath said. "And I've asked my family to pray for him."

http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/15/justice/florida-loud-music-trial/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I just read this on CNN. It's sad they couldn't agree on the murder charge, but at least he will spend some time behind bars. Maybe that will give a little peace to the family.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I just read this on CNN. It's sad they couldn't agree on the murder charge, but at least he will spend some time behind bars. Maybe that will give a little peace to the family.

Without a conviction on a charge of murder (1st or 2nd degree) he will be eligible for parole much quicker. Even a 2nd degree murder charge would be much more powerful than what they have. If some guy had KILLED someone in my family I would NOT "get a little peace" with a conviction of TRYING to kill someone else. Give me an effin' break. Surely, you cannot be serious!

Another result of overreaching to satisfy racists that cannot be satisfied. I am always content to let them be miserable, it is what they want.

The charge of 1st degree murder cannot be supported without evidence it was premeditated. Good luck with that. If they had charged him with 2nd degree murder, the correct charge in this case, racists would be outraged. They charge him with 1st degree murder, get a hung jury (big surprise) and the racists are...outraged.

Why anyone attempts to please racists is beyond me. It's like making deals with terrorists.

[JohnR! 5,495]

I believe he will have a tough time in prison, and quite possibly, reap his just deserts.

acksonville, Florida (CNN) -- A jury on Saturday night convicted a Florida man on four charges related to his shooting into an SUV full of teenagers during an argument over loud music, but could not decide on the most serious charge -- murder.

Michael Dunn was found guilty on four charges, including three for attempted second-degree murder, which could land him behind bars for decades. But they couldn't reach a verdict on the most significant charge: first-degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Jordan Davis.

As the decisions became clear about 7 p.m. Saturday, Dunn looked ahead solemnly with a frown but no tears. His lawyer, Cory Strolla, told reporters later that his client was "in disbelief."

"Even as he sat next to me, he asked, how is this happening," Strolla said. "... It has not set in. I don't think it will set in anytime soon."

The incomplete finale to this emotional, hot-button trial -- partly because of the fact Dunn is white and the teenagers who were shot at, including Davis, are black -- echoed George Zimmerman's trial for the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin about 120 miles down the road in Sanford, Florida. While stand your ground wasn't used by Dunn, his lawyers did argue that he fired in self-defense.

With the partially hung jury, State Attorney Angela Corey said prosecutors would press for a new trial in Duval County on the murder charge.

"Justice for Jordan Davis is as important as it is for any victim," Corey said.

Even without a final decision on that count -- and pending defense appeals -- the 47-year-old Dunn appears set to face a lengthy prison term.

Prosecutor Erin Wolfson explained Saturday night that each attempted second-degree murder conviction carries a minimum sentence of at least 20 years. There's also a 15-year sentence possible on the conviction for shooting in the teenager's vehicle.

Earlier Saturday, Judge Russell Healey acknowledged that the jury of four white women, two black women, four white men, an Asian woman and a Hispanic man was "struggling, obviously."

"But it's not for want of trying to reconcile all of this," he said then. "I think we've got some analytical people in there who are trying to do just that -- trying to analyze this from every possible angle."

Davis' mother, Lucia McBath, said that even without a decision on the murder count tied to her son, her family is "so very happy to have just a little bit of closure."

"It's sad for Mr. Dunn that he will live the rest of his life in that sense of torment, and I will pray for him," McBath said. "And I've asked my family to pray for him."

http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/15/justice/florida-loud-music-trial/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

[Novembro 1,763]

How in the actuak #### was he not convicted of first degree?

Fingers crossed Florida breaks off the US and drifts away into oblivion.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Without a conviction on a charge of murder (1st or 2nd degree) he will be eligible for parole much quicker. Even a 2nd degree murder charge would be much more powerful than what they have. If some guy had KILLED someone in my family I would NOT "get a little peace" with a conviction of TRYING to kill someone else. Give me an effin' break. Surely, you cannot be serious!

Another result of overreaching to satisfy racists that cannot be satisfied. I am always content to let them be miserable, it is what they want.

The charge of 1st degree murder cannot be supported without evidence it was premeditated. Good luck with that. If they had charged him with 2nd degree murder, the correct charge in this case, racists would be outraged. They charge him with 1st degree murder, get a hung jury (big surprise) and the racists are...outraged.

Why anyone attempts to please racists is beyond me. It's like making deals with terrorists.

God, you need to stop posting.

You have no idea what you're talking about. They didn't overreach, that man murdered that boy in the car. But people on that jury actually think that it was justified. That Jordan Davis was a threat to Mr. Dunn, and they believed him more than the 3 black teenagers that testified against him.

What more evidence do you want Gary? He fired 10 shots into a vehicle full of teenagers, 4 while sitting there, then more when they tried to flee. He got out of his car and kept shooting. Then he left the scene of the confrontation, didn't tell his fiance he saw a gun, didn't call 911, went back to his room and had a pizza, walked the dog, and then left in the morning to drive another 175 miles back to his hometown. Guess that's normal to you.

I say as least because it's the best his family could get. I hate it more than you ever will because you're so closed minded you can't fathom what it's like.

How in the actuak #### was he not convicted of first degree?

Fingers crossed Florida breaks off the US and drifts away into oblivion.

Because some of the jury actually thought the shooting was justified.

[GandD 5,966]

How in the actuak #### was he not convicted of first degree?

Fingers crossed Florida breaks off the US and drifts away into oblivion.

Well, I don't think this was "premeditated" as i read it.

I would think this would apply

• Second-degree murder is a murder that is not premeditated or planned in advance.^[7]

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Well, I don't think this was "premeditated" as i read it.

I would think this would apply

• Second-degree murder is a murder that is not premeditated or planned in advance.^[7]

Now, this I could see. They couldn't prove he planned to kill him in advance.

[Novembro 1,763]

Well, I don't think this was "premeditated" as i read it.

I would think this would apply

• Second-degree murder is a murder that is not premeditated or planned in advance.^[7]

Makes cents, but still bullshite imo.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Dunn is lucky that there are very few blacks in prison.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

How in the actuak #### was he not convicted of first degree?

Fingers crossed Florida breaks off the US and drifts away into oblivion.

Simple. !st Degree murder requires the state to prove he pre-meditatetd the act. It seems like an act of rage. They have to prove he sat around planning to kill someone playing loud music and not only thought about it beforehand but put himself in a place to instigate the act. Ridiculous. Just as in the GZ case, the state KNEW they could not get a convictrion on the charge filed. The charge filed had nothing to do with facts or evidence on hand and everything to do with race.

2nd degree murder requires only to prove he intended to kill someone at the moment he did it, but not that he planned to do it beforehand. They would easily get a conviction on 2nd degree murder but they didn't go that route because racially motivated people (AKA "racists") demanded the state go for all the marbles.

The same situation exists in all states, Florida is not an anomoly

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Makes cents, but still bullshite imo.

It is only bullshite if you can prove he planned to do it in advance. If you can, you should probably contact the prosecutors, they will need you for their next trial (if there is one)

Otherwise it is the entirely predictable outcome to decisions based on trying to appease racists.

[Novembro 1,763]

Don't you have some very important work to do elsewhere?

[GandD 5,966]

Because some of the jury actually thought the shooting was justified.

OR Marvin, they didn't think it was 1st degree murder, which it clearly wasn't.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I thought I read the judge declared a mistrial, no?