Sep 23 2013
Trial of Jordan Davis’ Shooter Postponed to Next Year as Stand Your Ground Laws Face Congressional Scrutiny
In a case sharing many similarities with the Trayvon Martin shooting, we turn now to the trial of Michael Dunn for the murder of teenager Jordan Davis. The 17 year old African American boy was gunned down last year while he sat in a car listening to music with his friends in Jacksonville, Florida.
The 45 year old white shooter, Michael Dunn claimed to have felt threatened saying one of the car’s occupants brandished a shot gun. Dunn, who initially fled the scene, is using the Stand Your Ground law in his defense. There were no weapons or drugs found in Jordan Davis’ car.
Dunn’s trial was slated to begin today but it was postponed until some time next year in response to a motion by his attorney. A new court date has not been set yet. Meanwhile a number of pre-trial hearings have been scheduled for October.
Another delay ensued last week – a Senate hearing on the Stand Your Ground laws that would have taken place last week would have featured testimony from Sabrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin’s mother, as well as Lucia McBath, Jordan Davis’ mother. However, the Washington Navyyard shooting ironically pushed Senators to postpone the hearing. A new hearing date has not yet been set.
GUEST: Lucia McBath, mother of Jordan Davis
3 Responses to “Trial of Jordan Davis’ Shooter Postponed to Next Year as Stand Your Ground Laws Face Congressional Scrutiny”
Martin? Shouldn’t you say this case is close to Roderick Scott instead? This case is so far from the Zimmerman trial however look up the Scott trial and see it is along those lines.
Walter, the cases of Zimmerman and Dunn, are very different compared to the Scott case. The teens killed in the first two cases werent in the commission of a crime when approached by their shooters.
The fatal shooting trial of Mr. Michael D. Dunn is in response to criminal litigation registered by the Duval County State’s Attorney who will prosecute this criminal action. A grand jury pronounced a five-count indictment on first-degree murder, three counts of attempted first-degree murder, and shooting or throwing deadly missiles at an occupied motor vehicle. The first-degree felony murder is punishable by the death penalty, which was waived in this case. Therefore, a natural life sentence in the Florida DOC would be judicially imposed. The three counts of attempted first-degree murder would be punishable by 90 years in the Florida DOC. The fifth count of shooting or throwing deadly missiles at an occupied motor vehicle is punishable by 15 years in the Florida DOC. The total judicial sentence for the pronounced conviction of the five-count indictment is natural life plus 105 years.