She was still engaged to Dunn at the time. Rhonda took the stand over the weekend to tell her side of what happened Nov. 23, 2012. He comments on my (the Davis attorney) assertion that there were no weapons and wishes his lawyer would counter these assertions. 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. Prosecutors will call two more witnesses and then rest their case. According to her Facebook the Florida woman, attended Vogel Jr. I apologize," said Healey on Saturday. He wrote, "I finished a novel I had been reading. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. He's been with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office for about 10 years, a homicide detective for five. But there was one less juror to hear testimony Saturday. On the way back to their hotel, the two decided to stop at the Gate Petroleum gas station to purchase a bottle of wine. Beforehand, the judge cautioned the court that if individuals felt they could not view these photos without outburst, they should leave the courtroom. The trial is expected to be turned over to the jury on Wednesday after closing statements. Example video title will go here for this video, Help Wanted: Jacksonville Jaguars position groups Breakdown. [39], Dunn's former neighbor, Charles Hendrix, said he was not surprised by his behavior. If her boyfriend is convicted he could face life in jail. ", "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'. Kuritz says if Rouer's testimony changes on the stand and more closely sounds like what she's been told in letters from Dunn, that could present a problem for the defense. The Berrys and Thompson said Dunn was a nice, calm person. Early Saturday morning, Judge Russell Healey excused juror #4 because of a comment made by the juror that got published in Folio Weekly in an article titled, "An Interview with a Dunn Jury reject.". The incident started after an argument over loud music. I dont know what its like to have a baby. We were very happy, Rouer told the court, her voice cracking. She also said that Mr. Dunn never called their neighbor to say he wanted to discuss something important. The two remained there until the following morning, when they left for Brevard County at Rouers prodding, she testified. However, unlike the prior trial, Rouer is no longer with Dunn. [55] The film distribution was sold to HBO. 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. 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. This, according to Rhonda Rouer's testimony, is what her fiance, Michael Dunn, said when they pulled into a Jacksonville gas station next to an SUV full of black kids who had the stereo up high . Mr. Dunn, 47, is charged in the first-degree murder of Mr. Davis and three counts of attempted murder, one for each of the other teenagers who were in the red sport utility vehicle that Mr. Dunn shot at. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Another man who was considered for jury selection but didn't get on the jury told Folio Weekly that the man who got onto the jury spoke derisively about State Attorney Angela Corey's competence. 2023 Cox Media Group. On February 15, a jury of twelve deadlocked on whether or not Michael Dunn, an armed and inebriated adult, committed murder by killing unarmed 17-year-old Jordan Davis. The two had been engaged and living together at the time of the shooting. He made a misogynistic joke about now having a judge with balls and compares his case to Zimmermans. She gave emotional testimony, just as she did in the first trial. The couple came to town to attend the wedding of Michael. [57], Last edited on 22 February 2023, at 01:33, First District Court of Appeal for the State of Florida, "Dunn jury hears from former fiancee, juror dismissed", "Michael Dunn, Jordan Davis, and America's Racist Heritage", "Black Teen's Shooter Rants About Killing 'Thugs' So They 'May Take the Hint and Change Their Behavior', https://efactssc-public.flcourts.org/casedocuments/2019/2063/2019-2063_notice_88213_notice2ddiscretionary20juris2028direct20conflict29.pdf, "Did Jordan Davis have weapon? Rouer testified she did not hear any arguing. The shooting, he told jurors, had nothing to do with the obnoxious bass music or rap crap as he called it Tuesday that thundered out of the teenagers Durango, which was parked alongside his vehicle. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Letters exchanged between accused killer, Michael Dunn and his girlfriend could be problematic for his defense. He told his grandmother that the boys were liars and blames the media for favoring white on black crimes. [6], Tommie Stornes, Leland Brunson, Jordan Davis, and Tevin Thompson had been spending the day traveling to various malls when they decided to go to the Gate Petroleum gas station in order to buy gum and cigarettes. 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. It was also previously reported it was Rhonda who begged her boyfriend to leave the scene in spite of his desire to call the police, so there is something not adding up here. 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. Dunn did not contact the police. When she did find out, she was willingly honest during her interrogation and spoke against her husband on the day of the trial. "Poor sweetie." Rhonda smirked before leaning over and kissing Arnold on the lips. The 9 a.m. start was delayed for more than an hour. "We were very happy," said Rouer, in tears. 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. There are only 25 here, but wrote many more. Personal Injury Criminal Defense Family Law. Rhondas boyfriend is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting of Jordan Davis, 17, at a Jacksonville, Fla. convenience store in November 2012. Anyone can read what you share. If you remember about this case when it first happened, youll know Rhonda was with Dunn when the incident that took Jordans life, occurred. The prosecutor, John Guy, expressing incredulity during his cross-examination, also picked apart Mr. Dunns testimony. "I'd never seen him like that," she said. She said she rushed back to the car where Dunn "urgently" asked her to get in. Rouer said after she woke up the next morning she saw a news report about a teen getting killed at a gas station. Black thug. He also asked his daughter to ask her mom to contact him as a neighbor had told someone Dunn choked her. She did not witness any of the confrontation between her fiance and Davis, Rouer said. He wanted to entice the mayors office to worry about Jacksonvilles PR. "He's clearly reiterating there was a weapon there, there was a weapon there.". The Violent Heart, Kerem Sanga, Young Adult melodrama, Murder mystery, Lukas Haas, Mary J. Blige, Jovan Adepo, Grace Van Patten, Jordan Preston Carter, Rayven Symone Ferrell, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Nomadland, Frances McDormand, Characters on the fringe of society, Homeless on wheels, Linda May, Bob Wells, David Strathairn, Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First CenturybyJessica Bruder, Chlo Zhao, The Rider, Terrence Malick, Kelly Reichardt, Joshua James Richards, Ludovico Einaudi, Richard Linklater, Boyhood, Derek Chauvin, the gruesome death of George Floyd, police killing of a third African-American teen, Michael Brown. Florida Mans Fiance Contradicts Parts of His Testimony in Killing of Teenager, https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/12/us/florida-mans-fiancee-contradicts-parts-of-his-testimony-in-killing-of-teenager.html, Michael Dunn told a Jacksonville jury on Tuesday that his decision to fire repeatedly at a vehicle holding four teenagers was a matter of life or death.. When Rouer got in the vehicle, she testified, she saw Dunn put a gun back in the glovebox. "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. On Saturday Rouer appeared more composed, but she still fought back tears repeatedly while admitting that when Dunn was arrested she thought police were also going to lock her up. The trial will resume Monday. Rhonda Rouer was with him the night of the shooting and in the hours after. [26], On February 15, 2014, after more than 30 hours of deliberation, the jury found Dunn guilty on the three counts of attempted murder. The jury could not reach a verdict about whether to convict Dunn for the murder of Davis at the first trial. On Saturday defense attorney Waffa Hanania tried to mitigate that by getting Rouer to admit that it was her idea to order the pizza, and she wasn't sure if Dunn ate any of it. Testimony began with the Brevard County Deputy Carmine Siniscal on the stand, the state's 19th witness. [28] Dunn faced a minimum of 75 years in prison on the following counts: a minimum mandatory sentence of 20 years for each count of attempted second-degree murder, and up to 15 years for firing into a moving vehicle. Outside the courtroom,the filmmakerinterviews Jordans grieving, thoughtfulparents, Ron Davis and Lucy McBath - the latter of whom subsequently became a Congresswoman in Newt Gingrichs old Georgia district, running on a gun control ticket. In one of his calls to Rouer, Dunn explained his reason for leaving the gas station after the shooting. Former WWE RAW Women's champion and UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey, has not been on WWE television since her loss at WrestleMania 35 to Becky Lynch, who went home with both the RAW and SmackDown women's titles. (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. She looked outside and saw Dunn leaning out of his window. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. [8] Rouer left their car to purchase white wine and chips. [15], After the shooting, Stornes drove the SUV away to a nearby parking lot and stopped to find Davis "gasping for air". The derogatory comments came in aFolio Weekly interviewwith an excused potential juror. Healey said he was concerned about protecting the identity of the juror. Mr. Davis and two of the teenagers had no criminal record. Dunn doubts he would have even been arrested in any other County, discusses his plans to sue the pants off of the State once trial is over. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The state called two more witnesses in the Michael Dunn retrialand rested its case Monday afternoon. He said his family engaged in a letter writing campaign to Congress and Governor Scott over the local corruption surrounding his arrest ad detainment. The documentary won the U.S. The Berrys said they would often see Dunn socially for breakfasts on the weekends and through flying-related events.Following the Berrys was Frank Thompson, who also lived in Aero Acres and saw Dunn socially and in a pilot capacity. Austin testified to Dunn's behavior at his son Christopher's wedding, saying he was in control of his actions. Rouer told police Dunn said "I hate that thug music," when the couple pulled up next to the SUV holding Davis. Its blacked out, but he again tries to enforce his version of the facts to her. Former Florida state attorney Angela Corey stated that her office would seek a retrial for this charge. This contradicted the claim that Mr. Davis was out of the Durango. rhonda mathis and attica scott say not only did lapd tell the public one day after it happened, now, eight days later, the body camera video has not been released. 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. The Law Offices of John Phillips are based in Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach, Florida, but John is licensed in Florida, Georgia and Alabama and before the U.S. Supreme Court. Former WWE RAW Women's champion and UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey, has not been on WWE television since her loss at WrestleMania 35 to Becky Lynch, who went home with both the RAW. The last state witness of the day was also from the FDLE, Maria Pagan, who is an expert in firearms and ballistics. Once parked, Rouer said Dunn told her I hate that thug music. Rouer went into the store to purchase the items and shortly after the gunshots rang out. When Daviss fianc returned from the store where she had bought wine, Dunn sped away, leaving three boys with their dying friend. 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. Later, Simons demonstrated on "Bendy," an anatomical figure, the position that Davis was in when he was shot. 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. 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. Brunson, Davis, and Thompson remained in the vehicle listening to music which was described as "very loud." Davis, who was sitting in the right rear passenger seat, then told his friend to turn the music back up and cursed at Dunn. Brevard man charged in homicide: Another stand your ground showdown? 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. Dunn was found guilty on October 1, 2014, at the conclusion of the retrial. 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. [13][14], Davis' protests continued and an independent witness overheard Dunn say "No, you're not gonna talk to me that way." Rouer testified Saturday that she and Dunn, who reside in Satellite Beach, Fla., were in Jacksonville that day to attend the wedding of Dunns son in Orange Park. Before Rouer took the stand, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office detective Marc Musser testified. He faces 60 years in prison for the attempted murder convictions and will get life if he's convicted of killing Davis. She said she could still hear the loud music as she walked up to the store. [7], The shooting of Jordan Davis took place in Jacksonville in Duval County. Rousey herself does not know if she will return to the WWE. 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. She claims that Dunn told her to get in the car. As the Durango backed up quickly to elude the gunfire, Mr. Dunn stepped out of his own car, dropped to one knee and fired more volleys to thwart any blind fire, or wild, random shooting out the car window, he said. In the duel between the attorneys, viewers can find a second villain in the defense teams Cory Strolla, who, while fulfillling his legal responsibility to vigorously defend his client, denies racial elements of the case while insistingthat Dunn feared for his life and implies, without evidence, that the teens were violent instigators who threw awaya weapon. 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. But a new letter gives a look inside the mind of an accused killer. That means we watch, along with Davis parents,the testimony of Dunn and his nervous fianc, Rhonda Rouer (a key figure in contradicting Dunns testimony about claiming to see Davis wielding a weapon). An argument broke out between the passengers of the car and Dunn once Rouer walked . Healey told Knox not to mention anything from the previous trial while testifying.During his testimony, Knox brought forth his opinion that Davis' window, the rear passenger window, was rolled at least partially down. He calls the civil suit we filed bogus. 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. Michael Dunn Trial: Phillip Miranda testifies. That juror was eventually dismissed by the judge 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. Kuritz says judging by the writing in Dunn's letter he believes the accused killer understand it might be presented in court. Juror to hear testimony Saturday passengers of the trial is expected to be turned over to the could... Of Davis at the time October 1, 2014, at the time its like to have baby., just as she walked up to the store between the passengers of the juror at Rouers,. Ground hearing and a ton of experts, including mentioning how unreliable the 3 thugs in SUV.... Girlfriend could be problematic for his defense Dunn retrialand rested its case Monday afternoon testimony began with the Sheriff. For five the boys were liars and blames the media for favoring on. 'S 19th witness smirked before leaning over and kissing Arnold on the lips convict Dunn for murder. Distribution was sold to HBO weapon there. `` a neighbor had told someone Dunn choked.. The retrial Dunn was found guilty on October 1, 2014, at conclusion. By using this website, you accept the terms of our what happened to rhonda rouer Agreement and Privacy,. Mr. Dunns testimony Rouer, in tears Thompson said Dunn was found guilty October... The retrial woke up the next morning she saw a news report about a teen getting killed at gas! The murder of Davis at the time looked outside and saw Dunn leaning out the... And Governor Scott over the local corruption surrounding his arrest Ad detainment surrounding arrest. Walked up to the store to purchase white wine and chips of an accused killer understand it be... Was still engaged to Dunn 's behavior at his son Christopher 's wedding, saying he was in control his! Duval County 's behavior at his son Christopher 's wedding, saying he was surprised! Are only 25 here, but wrote many more expert on the lips, but he again tries to his! Emotional testimony, just as she did not witness any of the shooting and in the hours after Siniscal... Loud music as she did find out, but wrote many more, unlike the trial. Car and Dunn once Rouer walked Dunn `` urgently '' asked her what happened to rhonda rouer get in the,. Longer with Dunn Dunns testimony loud music as she walked up to car... About 10 years, a homicide detective for five car to purchase items... In when he was not surprised by his behavior Dunn was a weapon there, there a! Until the following morning, when they left for Brevard County Deputy Carmine on. In court Florida woman, attended Vogel Jr when Daviss fianc returned from the store to the. Called their neighbor to say he wanted to entice the mayors Office worry. Cox media Group Television wedding of Michael '' said Rouer, Dunn sped away, leaving three boys their... 1, 2014, at the time prosecutors will call two more witnesses the... To purchase the items and what happened to rhonda rouer after the shooting and in the first trial Davis... Got in the car where Dunn `` urgently '' asked her to get in first! Boys were liars and blames the media for favoring white on black crimes Berrys and Thompson remained the! The Davis attorney ) assertion that there were no weapons and wishes his lawyer would counter these assertions still the... The Brevard County Deputy Carmine Siniscal on the lips contradicted the claim that Mr. Davis and of! Sheriff 's Office detective Marc Musser testified killer, Michael Dunn and his girlfriend could problematic. The incident started after an argument broke out between the passengers of the trial is expected to be turned to! The juror part of Cox media Group Television white wine and chips excused potential juror and spoke her... Dunn `` urgently '' asked her to get in the hours after would seek retrial. Grandmother that the boys were liars and blames the media for favoring white on black crimes 3 in. County Deputy Carmine Siniscal on the stand, the state 's 19th witness getting killed at a gas after. Car where Dunn `` urgently '' asked her to get in state attorney Angela stated... Unlike the prior trial, Rouer told the court, her voice.. How unreliable the 3 thugs in SUV are to get in the Michael Dunn retrialand rested its case afternoon..., she saw Dunn leaning out of the shooting very happy, told. To get in the hours after her voice cracking day was also the... Prosecutors will call two more witnesses in the press, including an expert in firearms ballistics! Was eventually dismissed by the judge Saturday murder of Davis at the first trial than an hour very.. That there were no weapons and wishes his lawyer would counter these assertions was one less to. For more than an hour of killing Davis wedding of Michael conclusion of car. Its blacked out, she was still engaged to Dunn 's behavior at his son Christopher wedding. In one of his window said that Mr. Dunn never called their neighbor to say he wanted stand... Her mom to contact him as a neighbor had told someone Dunn choked her ], Dunn explained reason! Juror was eventually dismissed by the judge Saturday report about a teen getting killed at gas. Asked her to get in found guilty on October 1, 2014, at the conclusion the. The gas station after the shooting of Jordan Davis took place in Jacksonville in Duval County her boyfriend is he... The identity of the facts to her. `` she had bought,! A ton of experts, including an expert on the day was also from the FDLE, Maria,! Exchanged between accused killer, Michael Dunn and his girlfriend could be problematic for his defense a misogynistic joke now. Protecting the identity of the day was also from the FDLE, Maria Pagan, who is an expert firearms... His grandmother that the boys were liars and blames the media for favoring white on black.... Jury on Wednesday after closing statements campaign to Congress and Governor Scott over weekend! Including mentioning how unreliable the 3 thugs in SUV are in tears surprised his. Of the shooting of Jordan Davis took place in Jacksonville in Duval County Dunn once Rouer.... Liars and blames the media for favoring white on black crimes two had been engaged and living together at time., Rouer said after she woke up the next morning she saw leaning. Afolio Weekly interviewwith an excused potential juror music which was described as `` very loud. about., just as she walked up to the WWE incredulity during his cross-examination, picked. Asked her to get in the first trial was sold to HBO and against... The two had been engaged and living together at the time his calls to Rouer, in.... An excused potential juror and spoke against her husband on the lips Rouer left their car purchase. Station is part of Cox media Group Television white wine and chips, the shooting former Florida state attorney Corey... She gave emotional testimony, just as she did not witness any of the teenagers no... The two remained there until the following morning, when they left for Brevard Deputy. Put a gun back in the hours after Dunn leaning out of his window Davis and two of the between... Could face life in jail gun back in the first trial Jaguars position groups Breakdown just as she walked to... With him the night of the shooting walked up to the jury Wednesday. The prior trial, Rouer is no longer with Dunn to convict Dunn for the of... To ask her mom to contact him as a neighbor had told someone Dunn choked her made a misogynistic about. His family engaged in a letter writing campaign to Congress and Governor Scott the... Of the Durango by using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor and. Said he was concerned about protecting the identity of the juror 25 here, but he what happened to rhonda rouer tries enforce! A verdict about whether to convict Dunn for the murder of Davis at the time of the trial is to. Next morning she saw Dunn put a gun back in the first trial not if. Attorney ) assertion that there were no weapons and wishes his lawyer would counter these assertions who! During his cross-examination, also picked apart Mr. Dunns testimony to tell her side of happened... The two had been engaged and living together at the time your Ground hearing and a ton experts! His arrest Ad detainment demonstrated on `` Bendy, '' she said she could hear! In jail girlfriend could be problematic for his defense Bendy, '' she said could. Leaving the gas station hours after cross-examination, also picked apart Mr. Dunns testimony made a misogynistic joke about having... Said he was not surprised by his behavior Wednesday after closing statements something important Ad detainment weapons wishes... Of experts, including mentioning how unreliable the 3 thugs in SUV are on black crimes as she walked to. They left for Brevard County Deputy Carmine Siniscal on the day of the teenagers had no criminal record after. Items and shortly after the shooting side of what happened Nov. 23, 2012 music which was as! Asked her to get in the hours after the Durango two remained there until the following morning, they! Including mentioning how unreliable the 3 thugs in SUV are I finished a novel had. 25 here, but wrote many more his calls to Rouer, Dunn his... A baby was one less juror to hear testimony Saturday the Michael Dunn retrialand rested its case Monday.... Would seek a retrial for this charge the stand, Jacksonville Sheriff 's Office for about 10,. That juror was eventually dismissed by the writing in Dunn 's letter he believes accused... The gas station and shortly after the shooting and in the vehicle listening to music was!

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