Fla. Guy Guilty of Attempted Murder in Loud Music Shooting

But mistrial declared on charge of killing teen
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Feb 16, 2014 9:18 AM CST
Fla. Guy Guilty of Attempted Murder in Loud Music Shooting
Denise Hunt, left, tears up as she finds out the jury is deadlocked on the first-degree murder charge for Michael Dunn outside of the Duval County Courthouse as the jury enters the fourth day of deliberations, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014, in Jacksonville, Fla. Large crowds gathered outside the courthouse...   (Kelly Jordan)

Prosecutors say they may retry a Florida man on first-degree murder charges in the fatal shooting a teenager after an argument over loud music. A jury yesterday convicted Michael Dunn, a 47-year-old software developer, of attempted murder for shooting into a carful of teenagers after the argument but jurors couldn't agree on the most serious charge of first-degree murder. A mistrial was declared on that charge. State Attorney Angela Corey said her office would consider seeking a retrial. Meanwhile, defense attorney Cory Strolla said he plans to appeal based on several issues, including how the jury could reach guilty verdicts on four counts and deadlock on another.

Dunn was charged with fatally shooting 17-year-old Jordan Davis, of Marietta, Ga., in 2012 after the argument over loud music coming from the SUV occupied by Davis and three friends outside a Jacksonville convenience store. Dunn, who is white, had described the music to his fiancee as "thug music." He claimed he acted in self-defense. After four days deliberations, the 12 jurors found Dunn guilty of three counts of attempted second-degree murder and a count of firing into an occupied car. Each attempted second-degree murder charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, while the fourth charge he was convicted on carries a maximum of 15. Jurors heard testimony that Dunn, who has a concealed weapons permit, fired 10 shots, hitting the vehicle nine times. Dunn, in claiming self-defense, testified that he thought he saw a firearm pointed at him from the SUV, perceiving "this was a clear and present danger." (More Michael Dunn stories.)

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