Michael Dunn, the man charged with shooting and killing 18-year-old Jordan Davis, has been found guilty of three counts of attempted murder by a Florida jury and one count of a gun charge. A mistrial was called on the murder charge. Dunn now faces up to 75 years in jail with the consecutive sentences.
The verdict comes four days after the jury went into deliberations.
Dunn, 47, faced five charges, one for first-degree murder of Davis, three counts of second-degree attempted murder of the other teens in the car, and one for firing into the car. Dunn claimed to be defending himself in a shooting that ultimately took the life of then 17-year-old Jordan Davis. Prosecutors accused him of opening fire on a SUV of teenagers in November 2012 following a dispute over loud music coming from the car of the teens.
Davis’ parents, Lucia McBath and Ron Davis, left the courtroom in tears after the verdict but later spoke to the press.
“We’re so very happy to have just a little bit of closure,” said a tearful McBath. “It’s sad for Mr. Dunn that he will live the rest of his life in that sense of torment. And I will pray for him. And I ask my family to pray for him. But we are so grateful for the charges that have been brought against him. We’re so grateful for the truth. We are so grateful that the jury were able to understand the common sense of it all. And we will continue to stand. And we will continue to wait for justice for Jordan.”
In the closing arguments Wednesday, prosecutors said inconsistencies between Dunn’s words and actions undermined his assertion that he acted in self-defense. Assistant State Attorney Erin Wolfson noted that Dunn never took cover, instead opening the door of his vehicle and firing 10 shots off at the fleeing SUV. Dunn mentioned later to detectives that he saw a weapon, but failed to mention that detail to his girlfriend until more than a month later. After the altercation, Dunn went back to his hotel, walked his dog, ordered takeout and watched a movie. It wasn’t until the next day that police caught up with the shooter.
Editor’s Note: Details of the verdict were corrected from an earlier version of this article.