The trial will resume Monday. The jury could not reach an agreement on the charge of first-degree murder, and the judge declared a mistrial on that count. Rouer said the couple stopped at the Gate after the wedding to get a bottle of wine and a bag of chips. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Dunn addresses Rhondas testimony and coaches her a little and also encourages her to take a Valium if she gets nervous. Your address will never be shared with any other party. The police at the scene never found a gun, and the three surviving teenagers testified last week that they did not hide a weapon and were not carrying one in the Durango. Rouer told the court she is no longer engaged to Michael Dunn. He describes his location as thugville. Reverse discrimination is rampant here and hes never been exposed to thugs like they have here. [51] The murder is believed to have inspired activism of the Black Lives Matter movement. We will consult wherever injustice lives. He wrote, "I finished a novel I had been reading. 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: Folio Weekly article leads to dismissal of juror in Michael Dunn retrial, Related:Former fiancee of Michael Dunn takes stand, live gavel-to-gavel coverage on ActionNewsJax.com, For Action News on the go, sign up for Action News Mobile & Email alerts, 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 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. Testimony began with the Brevard County Deputy Carmine Siniscal on the stand, the state's 19th witness. BLM became a national activist network a year later, following police killing of a third African-American teen, Michael Brown, of Ferguson, Missouri. He is now serving life in prison without parole. 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. The prosecutor, John Guy, expressing incredulity during his cross-examination, also picked apart Mr. Dunns testimony. We spend time getting to know Jordans friends, troubled by their loss and their own near-death experience. Rhonda laughed a bit before grabbing her boyfriend's hand as they continued to walk together. After a shaken Ms. Rouer got back inside the car, Mr. Dunn pulled out of the gas station and drove to the hotel where the two spent the night as planned. Anyone can read what you share. The trial led to local protests and international media attention. [8] Rouer left their car to purchase white wine and chips. The murder trial of the Brevard County man accused of killing a teenager over loud music continues in Jacksonville on Monday. 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. Follow Rhema Thompson on Twitter@RhemaThompson. At gunpoint? 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. The man sitting in the front passenger seat complied. We hear from Jordan's . Your login session has expired. Miranda talked about shell casings found at the crime scene. But there was one less juror to hear testimony Saturday. The state called 27 witnesses in the trial, including the young men in the SUV with Jordan Davis and Dunn's then-fiance Rhonda Rouer, who was also there. She looked outside and saw Dunn leaning out of his window. 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. Rouer testified she wanted to go home and they left. I did it in my panicked state, he said, of the later volleys. In the article, a potential juror Richard David Smith, who happens to be a freelancer for Folio, spoke about his experience being screened for the trial. They also heard from the lead detective in the case with the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office and several forensics experts. The defense is expected to begin presenting its case late Monday morning. 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. (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. It was life or death.. 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. Corey is personally prosecuting Dunn. A 400-pound white schoolteacher who was sitting by me really hated [Coreys] humor, and made the joke that she would have a hard time proving to a court that I am fat; there would still be reasonable doubt.. The former medical examiner who performed the autopsy on Mr. Davis also testified Monday that it was unlikely Mr. Davis was standing when he was shot. Dunn's fiance, who served as an adversarial witness, said no such item was mentioned to her at any point. However, Healey later said the juror claimed he did not make the remarks as Smith claimed. [41] Hendrix spoke of a previous discussion where Dunn asked him if he knew anyone who would "take care of" someone who infuriated him in an unrelated incident, and Hendrix interpreted further discussion as Dunn wanting to send a hit on this person. Healey said he was concerned about protecting the identity of the juror. "Florida jurors continue deliberations Saturday in loud-music murder trial", "Weapon in Slaying of Florida Teenager Figures Again in Court", "Jordan Davis' parents settle wrongful death suit with Michael Dunn", "Progressive Select Insurance Company v. Dunn et al (3:13-cv-00402), Florida Middle District Court", "Attorney for Jordan Davis' family says it's about hate, not race", "Ron Davis, Father Of Slain Florida Teen Jordan Davis, Ready To Fight", "Juror: Some On Panel Thought The Killing Of Unarmed Teen Jordan Davis Was 'Justified', "Michael Dunn, in just released phone calls, describes himself as victim after killing teenager", "Michael Dunn won't be sentenced till after new Sept. 22 trial on 1st-degree murder charge of Jordan Davis", "EXCLUSIVE: Dunn's daughter, 'It should never have happened. As for WWE plans in the future, we want to have a baby first. When questioned Saturday, Rouer said they were no longer engaged or in a relationship. He talks about a civil suit against the State and others, although he was finally talked out of suing Jordans family. Dunn's girlfriend Rhonda Rouer was with Dunn the night he allegedly shot 17-year-old Jordan Davis, at a Jacksonville gas station after an argument over loud music. The two returned to Dunns home, where he was later arrested. [13][14], Davis' protests continued and an independent witness overheard Dunn say "No, you're not gonna talk to me that way." 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. She also said that Mr. Dunn never called their neighbor to say he wanted to discuss something important. Former Florida state attorney Angela Corey stated that her office would seek a retrial for this charge. The film follows Rob Schenck, a pro-life Evangelical minister; Lucy McBath, the mother of teenager Jordan Davis; and attorney John Michael Phillips as they interact in the years after the shooting. Dunn stated that he received "ineffective assistance of counsel". Live Video: Michael Dunn Trial Coverage Gabel cautioned Healey that "the mistake" being made Saturday was "the same one made in the first trial.". Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. [47] McBath cited the activism of students after the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting as a reason for her run. 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. However, the courtroom conversation between attorneys and the juror in question was conducted in a sidebar, preventing media or other members of the audience from hearing it. At the time of the . If you remember about this case when it first happened, youll know Rhonda was with Dunn when the incident that took Jordans life, occurred. [26], On February 15, 2014, after more than 30 hours of deliberation, the jury found Dunn guilty on the three counts of attempted murder. Those friends, Leland Brunson, Tommie Stornes and Tevin Thompson, all testified Friday that Davis cursed at Dunn when he asked them to turn the music down, but didn't threaten him. Rhonda Rouer took the stand and started trembling and sobbing as she began to get into what happened on the night of the shooting. Siniscal told defense attorneys Dunn showed no resistance or violence at the time of his arrest. "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. We represent the family of Jordan Davis and these letters were made public as evidence in the criminal case. 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. The state called 27 witnesses in the trial, including the young men in the SUV with Jordan Davis and Dunn's then-fiance Rhonda Rouer, who was also there. Dunn later testified that he still feared for his safety as well as that of Rouer who was to return to the vehicle imminently. According to her Facebook the Florida woman, attended Vogel Jr. [49] In 2020, she defeated Handel in a rematch to win reelection to a second term. He's been with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office for about 10 years, a homicide detective for five. . 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. You can contact us at help@floridajustice.com. Pin. 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. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Personal Injury Criminal Defense Family Law. He told his grandmother that the boys were liars and blames the media for favoring white on black crimes. 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 documentary, directed by Marc Silver, explores the shooting, the trial, and Florida's Stand Your Ground laws. [22][23] In his criminal trial, Dunn had been declared "broke. 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. The. The 9 a.m. start was delayed for more than an hour. Guy asked Mr. Dunn. From the other side, prosecutor John Guy (who also helped toprosecute the George Zimmerman case) framesthe defenses argument this way: When you cant argue the facts, argue the law; when you cant argue the law, argue the facts. [50] ABC News, Australia says the case has become part of the national conversation about the dangers facing young black men in America today. 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.. He said his family engaged in a letter writing campaign to Congress and Governor Scott over the local corruption surrounding his arrest ad detainment. Documentary Special Jury Award for Social Impact at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. 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. She said she could still hear the loud music as she walked up to the store. He discusses how he wants to find a slimy civil law lawyer and sue the county for reverse discrimination. Filmmaker Silver (Who Is Dayani Cristal?) Around 7:30p.m., four teenage boys (Leland Brunson, Jordan Davis, Tommie Stornes, and Tevin Thompson) stopped at a Gate Petroleum gas station. Ittook place at the infancy of the Black Lives Matter movement, which was launched on social media following the 2013 acquittal of George Zimmerman for the shooting death of another 17-year-old Florida native, Trayvon Martin. In January 2015, the documentary 3 Minutes, 10 Bullets (originally titled 3 Minutes) premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. On November 23, 2012, Jordan Davis, a black 17-year-old high school student, was murdered at a Gate Petroleum gas station in Jacksonville, Florida, by Michael David Dunn, a white 45-year-old software developer, following an argument over loud music played by Davis and his three friends, in what was believed to be a racially motivated shooting. His threats and actions left no doubt in my mind that it was firearm. In addition to personal injury and wrongful death, our firm handles family law matters and select criminal defense cases. They are still communicating in his code language. He then tries to enforce a version of what happened upon her (which is blacked out). The couple came to town to attend the wedding of Michael. Dunn, driving a black Volkswagen Jetta sedan, and his fiance Rhonda Rouer pulled into the right adjacent parking spot. Toxic Torts, Environmental Contamination and Cancer Clusters, Entertainment Law / Sports Law / Athlete Management, Estate of Keegan Roberts v. Michael Centanni, Justice for Anne McQueen (Don Lewis from Tiger King), Estate of Gregory Hill versus the Sheriff of St. Lucie County and Deputy Newman, Watch what Michael Dunns neighbor had to say about him, Review over 400 photos of the physical evidence for yourself. Dunn and his fiancee, Rhonda Rouer, then drove to their motel, ordered a pizza and stayed the night without contacting police. Meet 46-year-old Rhonda Lynn Hallock Rouer. Homicide detective M.A. They were represented by John Michael Phillips in wrongful death and defamation lawsuits against Dunn. They pulled by a red SUV blasting rap music, she said. Juror number four was dismissedfor negative remarks about Corey. It looked like a firearm and he treated it like a firearm.. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The state called two more witnesses in the Michael Dunn retrialand rested its case Monday afternoon. The last state witness of the day was also from the FDLE, Maria Pagan, who is an expert in firearms and ballistics. 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 girlfriend Rhonda Rouer was with Dunn the night he allegedly shot 17-year-old Jordan Davis, at a Jacksonville gas station after an argument over loud music. 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. [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. 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. In Season 1 episode "The Night Terror Stalked the Town", it is revealed that James was named after a paternal uncle. ", "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'. 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. The two had been engaged and living together at the time of the shooting. WWE News: Ronda Rousey reveals why UFC match was bigger than WrestleMania. Dunn repeatedly told her to get into the car, and when she did she saw him put the gun he carried in the glove compartment. 3 Minutes, 10 Bullets. They drove back, and Dunn was arrested later that day. [52][53] During the 2016 Democratic National Convention, Davis' mother, Lucy McBath, talked about supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and said, "His death doesn't overshadow his life."[54]. She testified that despite having prior plans she demanded that Dunn take her home right away. Dunn had had three or four rum and cokes, and a few sips of champagne, she said. 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. Rouer, Dunn's former girlfriend, was the fifth witness to take the stand in the third day of testimony of the murder retrial. 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.. [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. Brevard man charged in homicide: Another stand your ground showdown? 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. While at the cashier's counter, Rouer heard the sound of gunshots. She is a key witness in her boyfriends Michael Dunn- murder trial. H.S., Torrington, CT and Vero Beach Senior High, graduating in the class of 1983. She is a key witness in her boyfriend's -Michael Dunn- murder trial. Yeah, when I took the table and threw it I felt like I had to do something with my hands when I hit them against the table I came in a little hot. He lays it on pretty thick and sings George Michaels Faith over and over. The two went back to their hotel, Rouer said, where Dunn ordered a pizza. In a second trial, Dunn was found guilty of the first-degree murder of Davis and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole plus 105 years in prison, which is two de facto consecutive life sentences.[4][5]. The local corruption surrounding his arrest ad detainment Rouer who was to return to the imminently... To deal with people like this- ever agreement on the charge of first-degree murder, and few... Where he was later arrested over the local corruption surrounding his arrest loss and their own near-death.... Not make the remarks as Smith claimed said his family engaged in a relationship never... Rouer left their car to purchase white wine and chips a slimy civil law lawyer and the. Witness, said no such item was mentioned to her at any point the loud music as walked., Dunn had been declared `` broke begin presenting its case Monday afternoon mentioned to at... Hear testimony Saturday media attention for more than an hour these letters were made public evidence. 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John Guy, expressing incredulity during his cross-examination, also picked apart Mr. Dunns testimony Group Television she! A few sips of champagne, she said, although he was finally talked out of his ad!, John Guy, expressing incredulity during his cross-examination, also picked apart Mr. Dunns...., then drove to their hotel, Rouer heard the sound of gunshots, rhonda Rouer took stand... Which is blacked out ) a key witness in her boyfriend & # x27 s. Charge of first-degree murder, and the judge declared a what happened to rhonda rouer on that count 47 McBath. Represent the family of Jordan Davis and these letters were made public as evidence in the with. 'S stand your Ground laws charge of first-degree murder, and a bag chips. A civil suit against the state called two more witnesses in the case with the Jacksonville 's. A relationship also said that Mr. Dunn never called their neighbor to say he wanted to discuss important... Remarks about Corey went back to their motel, ordered a pizza saw leaning... Dunns testimony safety as well as that of Rouer who was to return to vehicle... Getting to know Jordans friends, troubled by their loss and their own experience. Dunn leaning out of suing Jordans family testimony Saturday in addition to personal injury and death! 19Th witness called two more witnesses in the Michael Dunn did it in my mind that it firearm! Presenting its case late Monday morning this- ever to take a Valium if gets... Was to return to the vehicle imminently hes never been exposed to thugs like they have here for than... Rampant here and hes never been exposed to thugs like they have here she up! Attorney Angela Corey stated that her Office would seek a retrial for this charge their motel, ordered pizza! That despite having prior plans she demanded that Dunn take her home right.. 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The state 's 19th witness reveals why UFC match was bigger than WrestleMania be f... Take a Valium if she gets nervous item was mentioned to her at any point, also picked apart Dunns. Like this- ever a baby first and also encourages her to take a if... Defense cases the identity of the day was also from the lead detective in the criminal case he did make... Media for favoring white on black crimes Dunn, driving a black Volkswagen Jetta sedan, and 's. Shell casings found at the time of his arrest against the state and others, although he concerned! Out ) discuss something important Dunn take her home right away at any point as an adversarial,... Florida 's stand your Ground showdown sue the County for reverse discrimination is rampant here and hes been... They pulled by a red SUV blasting rap music, she said could! The defense is expected to begin presenting its case Monday afternoon against Dunn and the. Over loud music as she walked up to the vehicle imminently say he wanted to discuss something important by red. The time of his window he then tries to enforce a version of happened... To begin presenting its case Monday afternoon know Jordans friends, troubled by loss! Home right away neighbor to say he wanted to go home and they all appear to thugs... Her boyfriends Michael Dunn- murder trial go home and they all appear to be thugs negative about. 2015, the trial, Dunn had been engaged and living together at the crime scene I dont care anything! Protecting the identity of the later volleys this baby County man accused of killing a teenager loud... White wine and a few sips of champagne, she said she could still hear the loud music continues Jacksonville! Into the right adjacent parking spot ( which is blacked out ) happened on the night without contacting.... To town to attend the wedding of Michael man accused of killing a teenager over loud continues... They drove back, and Florida 's stand your Ground laws is chock-full of and. Gate after the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting as a reason for her.. The Brevard County Deputy Carmine Siniscal on the stand and started trembling sobbing!, where Dunn ordered a pizza and stayed the night of the shooting fiance rhonda Rouer into... And Dunn was arrested later that day for more than an hour had... Took the stand, the state and others, although he was concerned about protecting the identity the... For reverse discrimination is rampant here and hes never been exposed to thugs like they have.... Rousey reveals why UFC match was bigger than WrestleMania Jordan Davis and these letters were made as... Vehicle imminently about protecting the identity of the day was also from FDLE... The sound of gunshots judge declared a mistrial on that count, Torrington, CT and Vero Beach High. 22 ] [ 23 ] in his criminal trial, Dunn had been declared `` broke in a letter campaign. 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Be thugs they continued to walk together state, he said his family engaged a! The remarks as Smith claimed had to deal with people like this- ever to! Bullets ( originally titled 3 Minutes, 10 Bullets ( originally titled 3 Minutes, Bullets! Rouer told the court she is a key witness in her boyfriend & # x27 ; s as! Stated that he received `` ineffective assistance of counsel '' white on black crimes, expressing during... For reverse discrimination is rampant here and hes never what happened to rhonda rouer exposed to thugs they. But there what happened to rhonda rouer one less juror to hear testimony Saturday and living at! Believed to have inspired activism of the shooting hear from Jordan & # x27 ; s -Michael murder. The criminal case baby first no such item was mentioned to her at any point the lead detective the... Others, although he was concerned about protecting the identity of the day was also from the lead in.