"He's clearly reiterating there was a weapon there, there was a weapon there.". 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. A fourth teenager, the driver, has a third-degree felony conviction. [26], On February 15, 2014, after more than 30 hours of deliberation, the jury found Dunn guilty on the three counts of attempted murder. He makes an off color sex change joke and then talks about Charlie (his dog). A witness memorized his licence plate and he was arrested at his home a day later. Let me assure you, just as I told detectives who first interviewed me in Melbourne, and later Mitch Stone- there was a weapon.". "[45][46] She described Dunn as "a good man. These letters were written by Michael Dunn in jail and show a different side than you heard from him and his lawyers. He lives in East Arlington and has been in Duval for 33 years. Rhonda Lynn Hallock was previously married to Mark Thomas Rouer. Controversybegan before anyone even took the stand in day three of the first-degree murder retrial on Saturday. 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. 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. At one point, the juror--described as a 400-pound white school teacher--reportedly stated that Corey would have a hard time proving to a court that I am fat; there would still be reasonable doubt.. Also Read: WWE News: Ronda Rousey reveals why UFC match was bigger than WrestleMania, Booker T just voted in the Sportskeeda Wrestling Awards. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Strong emotions, tears and a bombshell revelation from the former fiancee of Michael Dunn Saturday afternoon followed a dramatic morning session that saw the judge dismiss a juror and give strong words to the crew in charge of the courtroom camera. 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. When questioned Saturday, Rouer said they were no longer engaged or in a relationship. You can contact us at help@floridajustice.com. In addition to personal injury and wrongful death, our firm handles family law matters and select criminal defense cases. 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. John is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law in Florida. 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. [22][23] In his criminal trial, Dunn had been declared "broke. They parked next to a Dodge Durango that contained Davis and his three friends. 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. We look at the testimony of Rhonda Rouer, Michael Dunn's fiancee, in his trial for the murder of Jordan Davis, and how it damaged his self-defense argument. Rouer told police Dunn said "I hate that thug music," when the couple pulled up next to the SUV holding Davis. "I'd never seen him like that," she said. He now understands that you need to put a weapon in that persons hand," said Kuritz. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. An argument broke out between the passengers of the car and Dunn once Rouer walked . [49] In 2020, she defeated Handel in a rematch to win reelection to a second term. The state questioned the accuracy of the diagrams, which showed the Jetta at a slight angle and too much room between the vehicles. Rouer broke into tears several times during her testimony, as she had in the first trial. 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. Former Florida state attorney Angela Corey stated that her office would seek a retrial for this charge. Written and directed by Marc Silver. Simons testified that the cause of Davis' death was multiple gunshot wounds and the manner of his death was a homicide. But there was one less juror to hear testimony Saturday. 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. 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. The two left the parking lot very quickly, testified Rouer. [40][41] Hendrix described Dunn as arrogant and controlling, adding that Dunn's ex-wives told him that Dunn was violent and abusive toward them, although he never personally witnessed this. "We were very happy," said Rouer, in tears. 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. [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. Example video title will go here for this video, Help Wanted: Jacksonville Jaguars position groups Breakdown. July 3, 2013 - Letter to Cousin The couple drove back to their hotel, ordered a pizza and Dunn made them some alcoholic drinks. 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. Nobody did fire back, did they? Mr. She also said that Mr. Dunn never called their neighbor to say he wanted to discuss something important. Around 7:30p.m., four teenage boys (Leland Brunson, Jordan Davis, Tommie Stornes, and Tevin Thompson) stopped at a Gate Petroleum gas station. The State attorney has no hope of a guilty verdict. He discusses how he wants to find a slimy civil law lawyer and sue the county for reverse discrimination. During an attorney sidebar, defense attorney Waffa Hanania told Healey she had given Knox transcripts of Dunn's previous trial for his own knowledge. 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. Distraught and quivering, Ms. Rouer said on the stand that Mr. Dunn never told her that night or the next day that one of the teenagers was armed. On the way back to their hotel, the two decided to stop at the Gate Petroleum gas station to purchase a bottle of wine. Dunn basically refers to himself as an authority figure to Jordan. She testified that despite having prior plans she demanded that Dunn take her home right away. In most of the calls, Dunn speaks with his fiance, Rhonda Rouer, who was in the Gate convenience store when Dunn fired 10 shots at the SUV carrying Davis and three other teenagers. "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. Rouer said she had a glass of red wine and about three rum and cokes as well as champagne. She also said Dunn mixed both of them another rum and soda adding his fifth from his earlier at his sons wedding in the hotel room. Rouer, Dunn's former girlfriend, was the fifth witness to take the stand in the third day of testimony of the murder retrial. The couple came to town to attend the wedding of Michael. He talks about a civil suit against the State and others, although he was finally talked out of suing Jordans family. 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. Cover letter where he is sending his version of things to be released. Healey eventually agreed to have the transcripts emailed to Gabel for review. Dunn was found guilty on October 1, 2014, at the conclusion of the retrial. Brian told Rhonda what he did on the way back to their hotel after the shoot occurred, and she was inside the store buying liquor when the shooting took place, so she had no idea what he did until their return. While Smith was not selected for the trial, he cites comments from another juror who did make the panel. Miranda talked about shell casings found at the crime scene. 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. 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. 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. 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. He talks about blacks and says, if more people would arm themselves and kill these fucking idiots when theyre threatening you, eventually they may take the hint and change their behavior. Further, he says, eventually, we as a society will wake up and realize that we need to arm ourselves, as the government welfare programs have produced a culture of entitlement for a certain segment of our society. And, remember when your mom was robbed? Related to the case (on page 6), he talks about suing the State of Florida and using the money to buy a house. He told his grandmother that the boys were liars and blames the media for favoring white on black crimes. The defendants words were also eroded by prosecutors who said the version of events Mr. Dunn gave jurors was different from what he told the police and wrote in a series of jailhouse letters to relatives. Black thug. He also asked his daughter to ask her mom to contact him as a neighbor had told someone Dunn choked her. That jury convicted him of three counts of attempted murder but deadlocked on whether he was guilty of Davis' murder. [8] Rouer left their car to purchase white wine and chips. 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. The two remained there until the following morning, when they left for Brevard County at Rouers prodding, she testified. Rouer recalled Dunn's first words to her. The trial is expected to be turned over to the jury on Wednesday after closing statements. . 3 Minutes, 10 Bullets. They were represented by John Michael Phillips in wrongful death and defamation lawsuits against Dunn. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. After Knox took the stand, four character witnesses testified for the defense. 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. H.S., Torrington, CT and Vero Beach Senior High, graduating in the class of 1983. Later, Simons demonstrated on "Bendy," an anatomical figure, the position that Davis was in when he was shot. Rhonda Rouer was enjoying herself on the day after Thanksgiving in 2012 when she accompanied her fiance to his son's wedding. He wants this person to make comments on social media on his behalf. Court is expected to resume at 9 a.m. Watch continuing live gavel-to-gavel coverage on ActionNewsJax.com. 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. Dunn and Rouer left the wedding early in order to return to their hotel and take care of their six-month-old puppy. Beforehand, the judge cautioned the court that if individuals felt they could not view these photos without outburst, they should leave the courtroom. 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. Rouer told the jury that her boyfriend had maybe three or four rum and sodas at his sons 2012 wedding, prior to pulling into the parking lot of a Jacksonville, Fla., gas station beside a red Dodge Durango, which was blaring loud music, according to online reports. [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. Her priority at the moment is to start a family and she said that she does not want to make promises when she does not know how she's going to feel in the future. 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. The Armor of Light premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2015 before opening theatrically on October 30, 2015. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Letters exchanged between accused killer, Michael Dunn and his girlfriend could be problematic for his defense. Austin testified to Dunn's behavior at his son Christopher's wedding, saying he was in control of his actions. He's not a racist. WTEV's Leslie Coursey reports on what's on the tapes. He wanted his family to give Cory direction. He wanted a Stand Your Ground hearing and a ton of experts, including an expert on the thug sub-culture. He also wanted a more active roll in the press, including mentioning how unreliable the 3 thugs in SUV are. Rhonda Rouer was enjoying herself on the day after Thanksgiving in 2012 when she accompanied her fiance to his son's wedding. He calls the civil suit we filed bogus. The prosecutor, John Guy, expressing incredulity during his cross-examination, also picked apart Mr. Dunns testimony. Dunn was arrested the day after the shooting. 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. ", "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'. Healey said he was concerned about protecting the identity of the juror. The day began with early morning controversy over disparaging remarks reportedly made by a juror about State Attorney Angela Corey. The deputy and two others went to Dunn's home to arrest him. The 9 a.m. start was delayed for more than an hour. 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. Anyone can read what you share. When Rouer got in the vehicle, she testified, she saw Dunn put a gun back in the glovebox. We spend time getting to know Jordans friends, troubled by their loss and their own near-death experience. He's very loving."[29]. The couple left the afternoon wedding early to see about their seventh-month-old puppy Charlie, Rouer said. It would be the last good memory Rouer and Michael Dunn would have together. 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. 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. Dunn's fiance, who served as an adversarial witness, said no such item was mentioned to her at any point. 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.. Almost two years later, a distinctly unhappy Rouer recounted a day that started happily and ended with her now former fiance fleeing a Southside Gate gas station at high speed after he fired 10 shots into a Dodge Durango that contained four black men. Documentary Special Jury Award for Social Impact at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. Ronda Rousey is currently recuperating after breaking her hand in the match at WrestleMania 35. At that point, he said, his mind was on his fiance, Rhonda Rouer, who was about to walk out of the convenience store. Mr. Dunn said there was no rational reason to leave the scene except that he was afraid of the teenagers. [9], Rouer returned to Dunn's car. She is a key witness in her boyfriends Michael Dunn- murder trial. Relatives. He wrote, "I finished a novel I had been reading. During Simons' testimony, several photos Davis' body were shown to the jury. The jail is chock-full of blacks and they all appear to be thugs. He descried the incident and said, Ive never had to deal with people like this- ever. He ends it saying he is plotting (his) own revenge against the system for all the civil rights violations.. 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. Rouer said after she woke up the next morning she saw a news report about a teen getting killed at a gas station. Rhonda Rouer, Michael Dunn's now-ex-fiancee, testifies in his murder retrial. She is a key witness in her boyfriend's -Michael Dunn- murder trial. His fiance, Rhonda Rouer, says the last thing she heard him say was, "I hate that thug music." Rouer was in the convenience store when she heard gunshots, and when she ran outside, he told. The case has generated international attention because Dunn is white and Davis and his friends in the Durango are all black. Juror number four was dismissedfor negative remarks about Corey. "I don't want anybody figuring out who this guy is," Healey said. In this letter, he essentially blames his ex-wife for not studying English harder, tries to give fatherly advice while admitting to being a pretty bad one. It looked like a firearm and he treated it like a firearm.. Siniscal said he asked Dunn to come out of his home shirtless and with his hands up. The jury could not reach a verdict about whether to convict Dunn for the murder of Davis at the first trial. "Yes, I know," she replied. [39], Dunn's former neighbor, Charles Hendrix, said he was not surprised by his behavior. In a letter dated December 5, 2012, Michael Dunn wrote to Rouer about her testimony to prosecutors. 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.. Leave the scene except that he was not surprised by his behavior in wrongful death, firm. 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