JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) ? A Florida man who opened fire on a carload of black teenagers in an argument over their loud "thug" music was convicted Wednesday of first-degree murder.
Prosecutors said Michael Dunn, who is white, was shooting to kill when he fired 10 times into a sport utility vehicle outside a convenience store in November 2012. Jordan Davis, 17, was in the backseat and fatally shot. His three friends in the SUV were not hurt.
Dunn told jurors that he saw Davis, of Marietta, Georgia, roll down the window and flash what he believed to be a gun after the two exchanged words. Dunn said he fired in self-defense. "I hear '.... white boy' just impolite things are being said," Dunn testified. "I saw the barrel of a gun. I'm petrified. I'm in fear for my life."
Police did not find a gun in the SUV or near the convenience store. As the court clerk read the jury's verdict, Dunn showed no reaction. Davis' father, Ronald Davis, broke into tears. His mother, Lucia McBath, dropped her head to her chest.
After the verdict, Davis' parents said justice had been done. "Words cannot express our joy, but also our great sorrow, because with the verdicts of all counts being guilty for Michael Dunn, we know that Jordan has received his justice," McBath said.
full article...