The jury in the Michael Dunn murder trial has returned to deliberations. They began deliberations on Wednesday at around 5 p.m. and as of 6:30 p.m. Thursday had yet to deliver a verdict.
PREVIOUS UPDATE (2/13 - 5 p.m.) POSTED BELOW
Dunn is charged in the shooting death of 17-year-old Jordan Davis.
Earlier this afternoon, Dunn’s attorney Cory Strolla held a press conference for the first time since the trial began.
During the 20 minute question and answer period, Strolla called his client the most candid of any witness who took the stand and told media members he had to do a lot of “damage control” after taking on Dunn’s case due to the widespread negative publicity.
Among his comments, Strolla reiterated the point that despite the media’s repeated reference to Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” laws, immunity under the controversial law was never sought.
“We did not want to give the State Attorney’s Office a preview of what our defense and our questioning was going to be,” he said.
Strolla also told media members Dunn’s case would have never received so much attention if it weren’t for the Zimmerman trial.
“The facts are extremely different,” he said referring to the two cases. “And the problem is, with the media attention, and not particularly you guys, but the global media attention and then this happening on the heels of it…I think just escalated that political pressure and things that we spoke of.”
Strolla said he believed the emphasis on the case by the State Attorney’s Office was politically motivated.
“I personally believe there’s a lot vested in this case politically. And I’m not saying anything for Ms. Corey; she can gladly speak for herself.” he said.
The 12-member jury has been in deliberations since about 5 p.m. Wednesday evening, and they have asked four questions.
They requested an opportunity to review surveillance video from inside the gas station during the shooting, to see the demonstrative dummy used by the medical examiner during her testimony in the trial, for an dry erase easel or large sheet of paper to write on, and for the date one of Dunn's jailhouse letters was written. Healey later told jurors the letter was written June 2013.
The only request left unfulfilled involved the dummy, which Judge Russell Healey said would not be used because it had not been entered into evidence.
At around 4:30 p.m. Judge Healey told alternate jurors he would keep them sequestered for one more day if a jury is not reached this evening. Jurors have indicated they will recess for the night at around 6:15 p.m.
The jury of seven women and five men will have the additional options of second-degree murder or manslaughter if they feel the case made against Dunn does not warrant a first-degree murder conviction.
In closing statements earlier Wednesday afternoon prosecutors reiterated their case that Dunn intended to shoot and kill Davis with premeditated actions.
Dunn's defense is that he was acting in self-defense because he was in mortal fear that Davis was raising a shotgun to fire on him.
ORIGINAL STORY (2/13 - 11:20 a.m.) POSTED BELOW
The seventh day into the trial of accused killer Michael Dunn got off to an unusually early start.
Jurors convened at about 9:30 a.m. for their second day of deliberation, about a half-hour earlier than originally planned.
After about two and a half hours of deliberations, the 12-member jury returned with a request to review the entire 20-minute surveillance video which captured the commotion inside the Southside Gate gas station, where Dunn fatally shot 17-year-old Jordan Davis.
The events were captured on six unedited angles, none of which were from outside, where the shooting took place.
Jurors got a chance to review the footage at all six angles this morning.
Judge Russell Healey said if the jury does not reach a verdict by the end of today, he may allow two or three of the alternate jurors go home. Wednesday night, he elected to keep the four alternates for another day.
They are being secluded from the other 12 jurors.
The jury of seven women and five men will have the additional options of second-degree murder or manslaughter if they feel the case made against Dunn does not warrant a first-degree murder conviction.
In closing statements earlier Wednesday afternoon prosecutors reiterated their case that Dunn intended to shoot and kill Davis with premeditated actions.
Dunn's defense is that he was acting in self-defense because he was in mortal fear that Davis was raising a shotgun to fire on him.
You can follow Rhema Thompson on Twitter @RhemaThompson.
