Jordan Davis Case & Verdict: Michael Dunn Awaits Sentencing; What Next?
What has become known as the "Loud Music" murder trial has come to an end. After much deliberation the jury returned with a verdict which sent Michael Dunn to prison but did not soothe the sadness and anger felt by the victim's parents and the nation at large.
On Saturday Feb. 15 at 7 p.m., the verdict was read which found Dunn, 47, guilty of three counts of second-degree attempted murder and shooting or throwing a deadly missile, according to USA Today. Each attempted murder charge carries a 20 year sentence and the felony charge 15 years. However, the jury could not reach a verdict on the first-degree murder charge.
Florida State Attorney Angela Corey, who handled the case herself, said, "It was too long before victims' voices were heard." When asked if her decision to try this case was related to the Martin verdict, she added, "Justice for Jordan Davis is as important as it is for any of our other victims." It is reported that acting Circuit Judge Russell Healey declared a mistrial. Corey has also stated that her office will retry Dunn for first degree murder.
According to USA Today, Dunn asked his attorney Corey Strolla, "How is this happening?" after the verdict was read. "Obviously, my client is devastated at the outcome. Never saw it coming one bit," Strolla said. "So it's hard. It's hard for the family. I know his family's devastated." Strolla also added that, at his age, his client was looking at a life sentence. However, Dunn and his family are not the only one's devastated.
On the eve of Davis's 19th birthday, which falls on Feb. 16, his family left the courthouse in sadness. Lucia McBath, Davis' mother, thanked the jury. "We are so grateful for the truth," and added, "It's a long, long road and we're so very happy to have just a little bit of closure."
USA Today also reports that Judge Healey ordered a pre-sentence investigation report and the attorneys will reconvene on March 24 at 9 a.m. to schedule the sentencing date.