Murder trial opens in Florida shooting over loud music

[steve2470]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - A Florida murder trial, stemming from an argument over loud music at a gas station that ended in the shooting death of an unarmed black teenager, opens on Monday, reviving a debate over the state's gun control and self-defense laws.

Michael Dunn, 47, faces first-degree murder charges in the death of 17-year-old Jordan Davis on November 23, 2012.

The white, middle-aged software engineer opened fire on a car with four black teenage boys inside that was parked next to him in the parking lot of a Jacksonville gas station convenience store in northeast Florida.

Dunn has said he feared for his life, drawing comparisons to the trial of George Zimmerman, the former central Florida neighborhood watchman who was acquitted last year of murder after saying he shot a 17-year-old unarmed black teenager, Trayvon Martin, in self-defense.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/03/us-usa-florida-shooting-dunn-idUSBREA1205Q20140203

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SYG and Zimmerman all over again.....

[Skittles]

1. another paranoid coward

Last edited Mon Feb 3, 2014, 04:01 AM - Edit history (1)

this time it was music instead of Skittles or popcorn

[steve2470]

2. yep

Dude could not just ignore the music, fill up his tank, pay for his gas, and go on his way. As I've done here in Florida on many occasions.

smdh

[Skittles]

4. I have on occasion jammed to such music when it is out in public

[steve2470]

6. glad you enjoyed !

Unfortunately the music I've heard (usually) is ok but not jamm-able for me. Ah well, different strokes and all that. I'm glad you enjoyed and spared them the ass-kicking

[Skittles]

7. it's like you said

if you really detest it, so what - you're at the gas station for.......how long? That guy was looking for a fight, itching to use that weapon. Gun humping COWARD.

[steve2470]

8. yep

Without the gun, the story might have ended with some black eyes and a trip to the ER. Sad sad sad.

[lunasun]

21. he was gonna take on a car of teens or they were going to hit the guy? Neither is my guess

[1StrongBlackMan]

18. Actually ...

I don't think he was looking for a fight; but rather, compliance. He listened to a piece of steel, when he probably should have listened to his brain.

[steve2470]

3. Dunn Trial: What you need to know

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story/news/2014/01/30/michael-dunn-jordan-davis-murder-trial/4803135/

This is a fairly long article with a lot more information.

[Skittles]

5. the guy had been drinking and was stopping for more alcohol

*interesting*

[DallasNE]

9. "He Feared For His Life"

That goes to state of mind so how do you disprove it? Saying it is illogical doesn't cut it as proof. The prosecution has its work cut out with Florida's license to kill law.

[Skittles]

10. what exactly did he fear?

the gun he magically created in his mind?

[1monster]

12. He had three rum drinks before driving to the Gate station. If drinking before driving is

illegal, partially because it impairs your judgement is illegal, how possibly could drinking before killing someone possibly be an excuse? His state of mind was based on alcohol, his hatred for the music and his judgement being impaired. If his judgement is impaired by his own actions, then how can his state of mind be taken as legitimate?

[pipoman]

13. As with many subjective legal calls

It will go to the "reasonable person" standard.

[JustAnotherGen]

11. Quite familiar with this case. . .

I think they are going to let him walk free. At most - a slap on his hand.

Sad but true - those punks and thugs always get away with it.

[RVN VET]

16. I see what you did there

and am in total agreement.

[JustAnotherGen]

17. n/s

[RKP5637]

14. Creeps taking guns in hand to mandate what they think is acceptable behavior. WTF is

wrong with just moving on. The noise bothered him, so, it's an excuse for a gun and shoot 'em up.

Therein lies the problems with guns, assholes/psychos have easy access to them, and then stupid laws say, oh, that's OK you killed someone, so, restraint fades away.

There are millions of responsible gun owners. Guns will never go away, but certainly laws can be effective in trying to prevent crap like this from happening. Also, Smart Guns might help too.

[another_liberal]

15. Many people who own a gun . . .

The sad reality of the situation is that many people who own a gun come to feel they have to kill something, just to prove they can make the damn thing work. Far too often, that something is another human being.

[valerief]

19. I hate those thunder cars, too. You just drive away from them. You don't kill the people

in the car.

They should be outlawed, along with Guns for Everyone and, of course, Stand Your Ground absurdity.


What a sorry-ass piece of shit of an excuse for a human being that killer is.

[lunasun]

20. If he was afeared why didn't he just drive away?Or walk into gas station and ask for po 2b called???

Dunn said he had asked the teenagers to turn down the volume of their music. From the back passenger seat, Davis refused and the two exchanged words. Dunn says he opened fire because he saw the barrel of a gun pointed out the back window at him, though police found no weapon.

The case has garnered national and international media attention because of the racial overtones and the self-defense claims. Like Zimmerman, Dunn said he feared a black teenager who was unarmed.

you'd think if trouble was gonna start you should get out of there or into station then again I'm thinking .....these afeared folks just fire...cant think beyond that option I guess............or he is a big hater who saw an opportunity to act on his racism and kill
and had no fear just overwhelming hatred of blacks

[Blue_Tires]

22. The precedent has been set, so he'll probably walk

or get a slap on the wrist unless there's like an all-black jury or something....

[cinnabonbon]

23. If they let him walk free

I am going to scream. He has absolutely no case for shooting those innocent teenagers.