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Second trial in Jacksonville loud music killing starts

 
Michael Dunn was previously convicted of three counts of attempted second-degree murder and firing into an occupied vehicle, but jurors deadlocked on the charge of first-degree murder. [The Florida Times-Union, Bob Mack, Pool]
Michael Dunn was previously convicted of three counts of attempted second-degree murder and firing into an occupied vehicle, but jurors deadlocked on the charge of first-degree murder. [The Florida Times-Union, Bob Mack, Pool]
Published Sept. 22, 2014

JACKSONVILLE — Jury selection is set for today in the second trial of man accused of first-degree murder in the death of a teenager during a 2012 dispute over loud music.

Jordan Davis, 17, died after Michael Dunn, 47, fired into a sport utility vehicle outside a Jacksonville gas station. Davis was a passenger in the SUV.

Dunn was previously convicted of three counts of attempted second-degree murder and firing into an occupied vehicle, but jurors deadlocked on the charge of first-degree murder.

He has yet to be sentenced on the charges he was convicted of during the first trial, but faces up to 60 to 150 years in prison.

Davis' attorney is seeking to move the trial away from Jacksonville citing widespread publicity about the case. Circuit Judge Russell Healey has said he will decide whether to move the trial during jury selection.

Dunn, a software developer from South Patrick Shores, fired 10 shots from his 9 mm pistol into the SUV that held four teenagers, including Davis.

Dunn said he thought Davis had threatened him with a weapon, but police found no firearms in the SUV.

Dunn was at the Jacksonville gas station after attending his son's wedding. He and the teens began arguing about loud hip-hop music coming from the teens' vehicle.

An attorney for Davis' parents said the couple hopes the second trial will end with a first-degree murder conviction.

"Emotions are high. Many want to comment that this trial doesn't mean as much, as Dunn is expected to face a minimum mandatory of 60 years in prison. That's hurtful," said John Phillips, the family attorney for Davis' parents, Lucy McBath and Ron Davis, told Florida Today.

"Dunn wasn't just an attempted murderer that night. He killed a teenager. A son. A hope for a bright future for Ron and Lucy, full of a wedding, grandchildren and fulfilled dreams," Phillips said.