Please logout and login again. The couple came to town to attend the wedding of Michael Dunn's son. Rhonda Lynn Hallock was previously married to Mark Thomas Rouer. 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. [21] Contrary to Dunn's claim that he mentioned a weapon to Rouer, she testified that he never mentioned a gun either that night or the next day. Dunn's insurance company, Progressive Select Insurance, challenged its duty to cover the lawsuit, but dismissed its lawsuit in conjunction with the settlement. Before Rouer took the stand, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office detective Marc Musser testified. Meet 46-year-old Rhonda Lynn Hallock Rouer. Do his choices match yours? The film debates the question: "Is it possible to be both pro-gun and pro-life?" 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. We were very happy, Rouer told the court, her voice cracking. Saying, "I then realized that we hadn't really discussed what happened, as we were more concerned with whether or not anyone was hurt. He said she probably will get offers from Hollywood from testifying. We hear from Jordan's . Davis' murder is one of many referenced by social justice activists (including many black parents) as a reminder that unarmed children who died at the hands of police or white men, mattered as individual human beings. He's very loving."[29]. "We were very happy," said Rouer, in tears. 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. A former Folio staffer who was a potential juror but did not make the final cut heard the juror criticize State Attorney Angela Corey during jury selection, according to Folio. They didn't stop on the two hour drive home. 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. Tears streamed down Rhonda Rouers face and her voice shook as she recounted before jurors for a second time the day Michael Dunn shot a Jacksonville teen. The last state witness of the day was also from the FDLE, Maria Pagan, who is an expert in firearms and ballistics. He wanted to entice the mayors office to worry about Jacksonvilles PR. They returned to their hotel where they ordered pizza. The Armor of Light premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2015 before opening theatrically on October 30, 2015. Rhonda Rouer took the stand and started trembling and sobbing as she began to get into what happened on the night of the shooting. 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.". 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 . First Coast News has successfully fought for your access to these documents and we'll bring you more exclusive content on Thursday night at 8 p.m. during our special, Michael Dunn, fatal encounter. He tried to explain his story and excuse his lack of mentioning of a weapon, saying, I cannot recall if I ever conveyed the details of my decision making to you. Randy and Beverly Berry, who lived in Aero Acres in Fort Pierce with Dunn's parents. [49] In 2020, she defeated Handel in a rematch to win reelection to a second term. It was Jordan Davis who kept escalating this to the point where I had no choice but to defend myself, Mr. Dunn said, naming the 17-year-old student he shot dead in the parking lot of a gas station convenience store. 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. The jail calls between accused "loud music" killer Michael Dunn and his girlfriend, Rhonda Rouer, have been released. It would be the last good memory Rouer and Michael Dunn would have toge He's not a racist. She also said that Mr. Dunn never called their neighbor to say he wanted to discuss something important. 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. The murder was one of the primary inspirations for the award-winning young adult novel Dear Martin, by Nic Stone. Meanwhile, the trial of Michael Dunn resumes 9 a.m. Monday. [9] She testified that Dunn told her "I hate that thug music," before she left the car for the store, though Dunn claims he used the phrase "rap crap. The shooting, which unfolded in this northern Florida city, has drawn attention once again to the states expansive self-defense laws that allow people who say they feel threatened to use lethal force to protect themselves. The justices did not explain their reasons behind the refusal. As his head clears the window frame, he says, This is going down, Mr. Dunn said, quoting Mr. Davis and using an expletive in the quote. [15], After the shooting, Stornes drove the SUV away to a nearby parking lot and stopped to find Davis "gasping for air". [39], Dunn's former neighbor, Charles Hendrix, said he was not surprised by his behavior. Rouer said they drove straight to the Jacksonville hotel, changed clothes and ordered pizza. They pulled by a red SUV blasting rap music, she said. And it had nothing to do with Mr. Davis profanity-laced reply to the common courtesy request Mr. Dunn said he politely made that the teenagers lower the volume on the car stereo, he added. Corey is personally prosecuting Dunn. 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. This contradicted the claim that Mr. Davis was out of the Durango. 2023 Phillips & Hunt. "I hate that thug music," Dunn told Rouer, according to her testimony. Dunn sounds incredulous that he has been imprisoned, andblames Davis 100 percent for what happened. Juror #4, previously known as Juror #32 is a white, married man with a 10-year-old child. The wounds, the examiner said, indicated that Mr. Davis, who bore no traces of alcohol or drugs, was sitting in the vehicle and leaning away. 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. [40], Davis' father Ron Davis said, "I'm in constant contact with Tracy Martin, Trayvon's father, and I text Sybrina [Trayvon's mother] all the time and I just want to let them know, every time I get justice for Jordan, it's going to be justice for Trayvon, for us. Rouer said she went to the entrance to see what was happening and saw Dunn facing the driver's side window. 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. Michael Dunn Trial: Phillip Miranda testifies. 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. Nobody did fire back, did they? Mr. [29][30][31], Jury selection in Dunn's retrial began on September 22, 2014, and opening statements took place on September 25. 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. His mother and father retained Cory Strolla, his defense lawyer for him, and Dunn liked to complain about him. At that point, he said, his mind was on his fiance, Rhonda Rouer, who was about to walk out of the convenience store. An argument broke out between the passengers of the car and Dunn once Rouer walked . 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. That led to a legal challenge later in the day by the Florida Times-Union for the release of transcripts from the conversation. At the counter, she testified she heard three pops. Attorneys spar in loud music murder trial", "Michael Dunn Verdict: Florida Man Found Guilty Of Attempted Murder In Loud-Music Trial", "Teens testify shooter Dunn said "Are you talking to me? Michael Dunn Trial: Phillip Miranda testifies Miranda talked about shell casings found at the crime scene. [17][18], After his arrest, Dunn claimed that Davis threatened him with a "gun or a stick". Austin testified to Dunn's behavior at his son Christopher's wedding, saying he was in control of his actions. 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.. Phillip Miranda took the stand next to discuss about shell casings. As the SUV backed up to evade his gunshots, Dunn opened his own door and continued firing at the car in shooter's stance, as the boys ducked for cover. She testified that she got out of the car and walked into the gas station. Dunn was found guilty on October 1, 2014, at the conclusion of the retrial. and his crew gained permission to film inside the Jacksonville court house, as long as they did not film the jury. Juror number four was dismissedfor negative remarks about Corey. The two returned to Dunns home, where he was later arrested. I asked what was that, she recalled, after hearing the shots. 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. Miranda talked about shell casings found at the crime scene. The couple left the afternoon wedding early to see about their seventh-month-old puppy Charlie, Rouer said. 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. Rousey also revealed that she and her husband are planning to have a baby and that she does not know what the future holds for her. On the way back to their hotel, the two decided to stop at the Gate Petroleum gas station to purchase a bottle of wine. [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? 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. In a letter dated December 5, 2012, Michael Dunn wrote to Rouer about her testimony to prosecutors. At gunpoint? [13][14], Davis' protests continued and an independent witness overheard Dunn say "No, you're not gonna talk to me that way." Documentary Special Jury Award for Social Impact at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. When Rouer first testified in February during Dunn's original trial, she was visibly shaking and appeared close to collapse. Dunn and Rouer left the wedding early in order to return to their hotel and take care of their six-month-old puppy. "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. "[24][25], In closing arguments at the first trial, the defense lawyer for Dunn cited the language of Florida's stand-your-ground law. The man sitting in the front passenger seat complied. Former Florida state attorney Angela Corey stated that her office would seek a retrial for this charge. According to her Facebook the Florida woman, attended Vogel Jr. The Folio writer confirmed to Action News at 12:35 p.m. that it was his article that led to the dismissal of juror #4. 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. She testified that despite having prior plans she demanded that Dunn take her home right away. [38], On June 22, 2020, the Florida Supreme Court rejected Dunn's appeal and refused to take the case. Prosecutors will call two more witnesses and then rest their case. 2023 Cox Media Group. It was probably as simple as - 'He threatened to kill me' and left it at that.". 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. . Mr. Dunn said he told his fiance several times that the teenager had threatened him with a gun or some kind of weapon. Simons testified that, in her medical opinion, she did not believe Davis was outside, or leaning outside of the vehicle when he was shot. While Rouer was inside the store, Dunn asked the people in the Durango to turn down the music. And when you cantargue either, put someone else on 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. She was still engaged to Dunn at the time. Theyd had a few drinks while at the wedding. [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. 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. [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. Dunn is accused of killing 17-year-old Jordan Davis after an argument over loud music at a Gate gas station on the Southside on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving in 2012. 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. Kuritz says he's seen letters like this one before and believes it can be used against Dunn at trial. Circuit Judge Russell Healey and attorneys on both sides spent more than an hour discussing and questioning the juror, mentioned in a Folio Weekly column published Friday. Rouer said after she woke up the next morning she saw a news report about a teen getting killed at a gas station. He wrote, "I finished a novel I had been reading. With tissues in hand, Michael Dunn's fiance Rhonda Rouer took the stand today as a state's witness. Healey said he was concerned about protecting the identity of the juror. Related to the case (on page 6), he talks about suing the State of Florida and using the money to buy a house. Mr. Dunn said there was no rational reason to leave the scene except that he was afraid of the teenagers. He discusses how he wants to find a slimy civil law lawyer and sue the county for reverse discrimination.