That juror was eventually dismissed by the judge Saturday. Loud rap music was emanating from the Durango and when Dunn said he hated that thug music, Rouer testified that she said "I know," gave him a kiss and left Dunn in the car while she went inside. Brian told Rhonda what he did on the way back to their hotel after the shoot occurred, and she was inside the store buying liquor when the shooting took place, so she had no idea what he did until their return. 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. A hapless witness, she herself dodged. If her boyfriend is convicted he could face life in jail. Relatives. Rouer said she went to the entrance to see what was happening and saw Dunn facing the driver's side window. They were represented by John Michael Phillips in wrongful death and defamation lawsuits against Dunn. She gave emotional testimony, just as she did in the first trial. Dunn's insurance company, Progressive Select Insurance, challenged its duty to cover the lawsuit, but dismissed its lawsuit in conjunction with the settlement. I did it in my panicked state, he said, of the later volleys. Before jurors were brought back into the courtroom after the lunch break, the defense presented diagrams showing the Durango parked next to Dunn's vehicle, a Volkswagen Jetta. Rouer testified she wanted to go home and they left. Juror #4, previously known as Juror #32 is a white, married man with a 10-year-old child. 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. In addition to personal injury and wrongful death, our firm handles family law matters and select criminal defense cases. 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. He compares himself to My Cousin Vinnie and how he has a foolproof case. With tissues in hand, Michael Dunn's fiance Rhonda Rouer took the stand today as a state's witness. Siniscal said he asked Dunn to come out of his home shirtless and with his hands up. It was the perfect time to come in a little hot!". 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. [56], Davis's story also features in the 2015 documentary film The Armor of Light, the directorial debut of Disney heir Abigail Disney. The state questioned the accuracy of the diagrams, which showed the Jetta at a slight angle and too much room between the vehicles. While Rouer was inside the store, Dunn asked the people in the Durango to turn down the music. 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. He said his family engaged in a letter writing campaign to Congress and Governor Scott over the local corruption surrounding his arrest ad detainment. 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 raised a significant question that still hangs over the proceedings: If the teenagers had a shotgun and were being fired upon, why didnt they use it? This contradicted the claim that Mr. Davis was out of the Durango. She claims that Dunn told her to get in the car. The two remained there until the following morning, when they left for Brevard County at Rouers prodding, she testified. 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. 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. Siniscal said he had a "high-risk" arrest warrant for Michael Dunn. Rhonda laughed a bit before grabbing her boyfriend's hand as they continued to walk together. She started by telling Assistant State Attorney Erin Wolfson that they had a good day that . 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. 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. [8] Rouer left their car to purchase white wine and chips. But Ms. Rouer, who lived with Mr. Dunn in Brevard County and who had accompanied him to his sons wedding here, contradicted those statements on Tuesday. When Rouer got in the vehicle, she testified, she saw Dunn put a gun back in the glovebox. The two went back to their hotel, Rouer said, where Dunn ordered a pizza. Prosecutors received permission from the court to let the jury handle Dunn's gun. [13][14], Davis' protests continued and an independent witness overheard Dunn say "No, you're not gonna talk to me that way." Fourth Judicial Circuit Judge Russell Healey ultimately did not allow the diagrams to be used, but said he would allow the testimony from the expert witness.Just after 2 p.m., forensic consultant Michael Knox took the stand as the first witness for the defense. We hear from Jordan's . Saying, "I then realized that we hadn't really discussed what happened, as we were more concerned with whether or not anyone was hurt. Rhonda Rouer took the stand and started trembling and sobbing as she began to get into what happened on the night of the shooting. They didn't call 911, and didn't know Davis had died until the next morning when Dunn was arrested. His mother and father retained Cory Strolla, his defense lawyer for him, and Dunn liked to complain about him. "[10][11], The bass from the loud music playing in the teens' SUV annoyed Dunn, who asked for it to be turned down. Prosecutors will call two more witnesses and then rest their case. We were very happy, Rouer told the court, her voice cracking. Musser indicated that he did not view the friends as suspects, which is why their statements to police were not videotaped, and why the adjacent parking lot was never searched. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. At times teary, his feet shackled, Michael Dunn, the man accused of fatally shooting a black teenager in November 2012 during an argument over loud music, took the witness stand on Tuesday and told the jury he pulled the trigger repeatedly only to save his own life. Musser was one of the lead detectives who ended up going to Brevard County to interview Dunn after he was arrested. The defense is expected to begin presenting its case late Monday morning. Brunson, Davis, and Thompson remained in the vehicle listening to music which was described as "very loud." In the aftermath of the. She also wasnt questioned this time around about whether Dunn ever mentioned to her that he thought Davis had a gun. Kuritz says judging by the writing in Dunn's letter he believes the accused killer understand it might be presented in court. Dunn basically refers to himself as an authority figure to Jordan. Follow Rhema Thompson on Twitter@RhemaThompson. Beforehand, the judge cautioned the court that if individuals felt they could not view these photos without outburst, they should leave the courtroom. 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. 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. "Yes, I know," she replied. The trial will resume Monday. Michael Dunn's ex fiance Rhonda Rouer is questioned regarding the shooting and killing of an unarmed teenager by Dunn. 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. Musser said it wasn't until months later that he realized the Gate station video recordings included audio, and by that point the recordings were gone. "I hate that thug music," Dunn told Rouer, according to her testimony. 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. He said the blacks are racist in Jacksonville and the more I am exposed to these people, the more prejudiced against them I become. He calls blacks in the south the scourge of this country and then puts a smiley face. Austin testified to Dunn's behavior at his son Christopher's wedding, saying he was in control of his actions. 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. He lays it on pretty thick and sings George Michaels Faith over and over. [19][20] Forensic scientists determined that in the short distance the boys traveled, a weapon could not have been stashed in a place that would not have been immediately visible to crime scene investigators. 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.". Your address will never be shared with any other party. "He realizes under Stand Your Ground the significance of that or even self-defense. 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. Police presence at Arlington Manor area complex after reported shooting, Police: One person detained in College Park area, Local Weather: Day 9 of 80-plus degree afternoons; much-needed rain by late Friday into Saturday, Viewing Venus under a telescope in our night sky. Healey eventually agreed to have the transcripts emailed to Gabel for review. [49] In 2020, she defeated Handel in a rematch to win reelection to a second term. [38], On June 22, 2020, the Florida Supreme Court rejected Dunn's appeal and refused to take the case. He's very loving."[29]. 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 deputy testified Dunn did just that, went to his knees as ordered where deputies placed him in handcuffs. Meet 46-year-old Rhonda Lynn Hallock Rouer. She did not witness any of the confrontation between her fiance and Davis, Rouer said. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Theyd had a few drinks while at the wedding. Zimmermans acquittal happened in the summer of 2013, between Dunns first trial, which ended in a partial verdict,and his second trial in the fall, when the jury convicted him of first degree murder. ", "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'. Dunn says it was. Rouer said the couple stopped at the Gate after the wedding to get a bottle of wine and a bag of chips. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. In the morning, Rouer saw a news report about a shooting at a Jacksonville gas station, in which a 17-year-old had been killed, and rather than call police, the couple packed their bags and drove. 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. . Written and directed by Marc Silver. It would be the last good memory Rouer and Michael Dunn would have together. Its blacked out, but he again tries to enforce his version of the facts to her. 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, 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. "I think maybe he understands this will be coming into trial one day and he wants a jury who sees it to be thinking he's a good person, he's reading the bible in there," said Kuritz. [7], The shooting of Jordan Davis took place in Jacksonville in Duval County. He talks about a civil suit against the State and others, although he was finally talked out of suing Jordans family. In 2021, the jury and judges on the Florida Supreme Court rejected Dunn's appeal based on the stand-your-ground law in Florida. Rhonda testified when she turned around she saw Dunn outside the vehicle, and she then exited the store. He lives in East Arlington and has been in Duval for 33 years. Dunn was arrested the day after the shooting. I was worried about the blind firing situation, where they would shoot over their heads, whatever, and hit me, or hit me and Rhonda.. They didn't stop on the two hour drive home. Rouer said she gave Dunn a kiss, and took $3 before walking into the store to buy some wine and chips. Anyone can read what you share. Rhonda Rouer, Michael Dunn's now-ex-fiancee, testifies in his murder retrial. At gunpoint? H.S., Torrington, CT and Vero Beach Senior High, graduating in the class of 1983. The couple drove back to their hotel, ordered a pizza and Dunn made them some alcoholic drinks. Around 7:30p.m., four teenage boys (Leland Brunson, Jordan Davis, Tommie Stornes, and Tevin Thompson) stopped at a Gate Petroleum gas station. 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. 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. Dunn testified that on the drive home he called a neighbor who works in law enforcement to arrange to speak to him about the shooting, but phone records indicate that the neighbor actually called him, and Rouer testified that the shooting was never mentioned during the call. He was still discussing whether Cory or the process was to blame and decided it was the process. That jury convicted him of three counts of attempted murder but deadlocked on whether he was guilty of Davis' murder. The couple came to town to attend the wedding of Michael Dunn's son. The. She is a key witness in her boyfriend's -Michael Dunn- murder trial. 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. BLM became a national activist network a year later, following police killing of a third African-American teen, Michael Brown, of Ferguson, Missouri. Rouer said she had a glass of red wine and about three rum and cokes as well as champagne. Daviss parents, Ron Davis and Lucia McBath, were also visibly emotional in the audience. 2023 Cox Media Group. "I'd never seen him like that," she said. The press is made up of a bunch of liberal bastards. He said, Youd think Jacksonville was 90-95% back judging by the make up of the folks in jail here. He also mocked the Rolling Stone article about Jordan. Rouer told police Dunn said "I hate that thug music," when the couple pulled up next to the SUV holding Davis. "He's clearly reiterating there was a weapon there, there was a weapon there.". JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The state called two more witnesses in the Michael Dunn retrialand rested its case Monday afternoon. Mr. Dunn said he told his fiance several times that the teenager had threatened him with a gun or some kind of weapon. 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. All rights reserved. Brevard man charged in homicide: Another stand your ground showdown? [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. Meet 46-year-old Rhonda Lynn Hallock Rouer. Dunn elaborates in great detail, revealing much of what has been already discussed, saying thugs, threatening to sue the County and rants about Angela Corey. A gun or some kind of weapon it would be the last good memory Rouer and Dunn! Boyfriend & # x27 ; s now-ex-fiancee, testifies in his murder retrial according to her testimony there a... He lays it on pretty thick and sings George Michaels Faith over and over Youd think Jacksonville was 90-95 back... Several times that the teenager had threatened him with a gun he lives in Arlington. Of that or even self-defense very happy, Rouer told the court to let jury! 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