Loud Music Trial Closing Arguments Begin

Prosecutors in the loud music trial have begun their closing arguments. Assistant State Attorney Erin Wolfson addressed the jury on Wednesday, stating that the evidence proves Michael Dunn is guilty of first-degree murder. Dunn, age 47, is accused of shooting and killing 17-year-old Jordan Davis during a dispute over loud music.

On November 23, 2012, Davis and three friends were at a Gate gas station in Jacksonville, Florida. Dunn and his fiancée stopped at the same gas station to purchase a bottle of wine. During his testimony, the defendant said his fiancée was inside the store when he noticed loud music coming from another vehicle.

Dunn described the music as “ridiculously loud.” He said his “rear view mirror was shaking” and his “eardrums were vibrating.” The defendant said he asked the teens to turn the music down and they complied. However, they eventually turned it back up and began calling him names.

As the loud music trial continued, Dunn testified that the teens’ hostility made him fear for his life. Reuters reports he fired 10 shots into the vehicle’s rear passenger window because he thought one of the teens had a weapon. Dunn said he was defending himself from “imminent death” as he observed “clear and present danger.”

Dunn fled the scene with his fiancée as he did not believe he did anything wrong. He said he did not know anyone was hurt until hours after the shooting.

By the time authorities were called, Jordan Davis was dead. Miraculously, his three friends were unharmed. Dunn said when he heard the news he was “crazy with grief,” which made him physically ill.

Michael Davis Dunn was located and arrested on November 27, 2012. He was charged with first-degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Jordan Davis.

As reported by CNN, Davis plead not guilty. He maintains that the shooting was intended “to stop the attack, not necessarily end a life.”

Although Dunn said he observed a weapon, authorities said all four passengers inside the SUV were unarmed. The defendant’s fiancée later testified that he never mentioned seeing a weapon of any kind. Dunn argued that his fiancée may have forgotten the conversation.

Defense attorney Cory Strolla contends the teens had time to hide any weapon before authorities arrived. Strolla said law enforcement officials failed to properly search the surrounding area for a hidden weapon.

The loud music trial is expected to conclude Wednesday afternoon. The jury will begin their deliberations on Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.

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