After four days of deliberation about the fate of Michael Dunn, the 47-year-old man accused of murder after shooting 17-year-old Jordan Davis, the jury has finally reached a verdict. Sort of.
Jurors convicted Dunn on three counts of attempted second degree murder and one count of firing a missile into an occupied vehicle. As for that murder charge ... "Based on the jury's inability to reach a verdict as to count one, I will declare that mistried." (Via Central Florida News 13)
Dunn shot at an SUV containing Davis and three of his friends back in 2012, killing Davis after the two argued about the loud music Davis was playing. Dunn claimed Davis was armed and he acted in self-defense; prosecutors say no weapon was ever found in Davis's car. (Via Bay News 9)
The jury convicted Dunn of attempting to kill the three passengers in Davis's car, but apparently became deadlocked on whether Michael Dunn had committed first-degree murder. State prosecutor Angela Corey told reporters Saturday her office intends to seek a retrial.
"When you're seeking justice for four different victims, and you get a verdict that speaks to justice for three of those victims, it makes you more determined to seek justice again for that fourth victim." (Via WJXT)
The odd decision has produced several different opinions about how the Dunn case turned out for the prosecution. Florida lawyer Mark O'Mara told CNN that in terms of punishing Dunn for his crimes, there's not much more the state can do.
"He's looking at 60 years minimum mandatory day for day and an additional 15 years. ... At this point it almost is moot as far as additional punishment, but certainly the Davis family is going to want a retrial."
But on MSNBC, Rev. Al Sharpton said Florida still needs to bring closure to the Davis family by reaching a decision on the first degree murder charge.
"This verdict does not address the life of Jordan Davis. It addresses the shooting in the car, it addresses the attempted murder, but what about the life that was lost?"
Dunn is scheduled to be sentenced on March 24.
