Michael Dunn Sentenced To Life Without Parole In Loud Music Trial

Michael Dunn was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Dunn is accused in the shooting death of 17-year-old Jordan Davis. Authorities said the teen was killed because he and his friends were listening to loud music.

On November 23, 2012, Dunn was visiting Jacksonville, Florida, for his son’s wedding. On the evening in question, the defendant and his girlfriend stopped at a gas station to purchase a bottle of wine. Although Rhonda Rouer went into the store, Dunn remained inside his vehicle.

According to witness reports, Dunn was parked next to an SUV, which was occupied by several teens. Witnesses said the defendant was annoyed, as the teens were listening to loud music.

When Dunn asked the teens to lower the volume, a verbal disagreement ensued. At some point during the argument, Michael Dunn removed his gun from the glove compartment, aimed at the SUV, and fired 10 shots.

Following the shooting, the teens fled the scene. Dunn and his girlfriend also left the scene and returned to their hotel. The defendant said he was not aware anyone was injured until the next day.

On the morning of November, 24, Dunn and Rouer awoke to reports of a fatal shooting. However, instead of turning himself in, the defendant returned to his Satellite Beach home. He was later arrested, as witnesses recorded his license plate number at the scene of the crime.

As reported by First Coast News, Michael Dunn claimed he fired shots at the SUV in self-defense. During a police interview, the defendant said Jordan Davis flashed a gun and threatened his life. Although authorities conducted an extensive search, no gun was found on the teens, inside the vehicle, or in the surrounding area.

Although Dunn was convicted on three counts of attempted second-degree murder, the jury did not reach a unanimous decision on the charge of first-degree murder. As reported by ABC News, the defendant’s first case ended in a mistrial.

In his retrial, Michael Dunn was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Jordan Davis. As prosecutors did not seek the death penalty, the defendant was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Because Dunn is white, and Davis was a black teen, the case is often compared to the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Many believe both shootings were racially motivated.

Although Michael Dunn contends he was acting in self-defense, he will be spending the remainder of his life in prison.

[Image via ABC News]