A Florida jury has finally done something(almost) right. 47-year-old Michael Dunn was convicted of three counts of attempted-second degree murder and one count of shooting into an occupied vehicle in Jacksonville, Florida back in 2012. However, the jurors was hung over the count of first-degree murder. So what did Michael Dunn allegedly do?
Michael Dunn, a middle-aged white man, decided to “stay his ground” at a gas station against a group of black teenagers. Dunn felt threatened by the teens because they were blasting what was labeled, “thug music” from their car and he asked the teens to turn the volume down. Dunn gets into an argument with one of teens, Jordan Davis.
During the argument, Dunn alleges he sees a weapon being pulled from Davis’ vehicle. Fearful of his life, Dunn pulls out his gun and begins shooting in the vehicle at least ten times, killing 17-year-old Jordan Davis. Another young black man killed by a fearful white man. It was later discovered that no gun was ever found in the teenagers’ vehicle. Just another white person fearful of seeing a group of black teens.
Sentencing for Michael Dunn will be revealed at a later date but he could face up to sixty years for each of his convictions. After Florida failed us in the Trayvon Martin case in 2013, it is good to see that jurors believe black lives somewhat matter.
I dedicate this article to all the little black boys who never had the chance to become strong black men. To all you “stand your ground” practitioners, here’s a thought: call the police before you decide to write a check your ass can’t cash. George Zimmerman was semi-lucky but no really because he will forever be known as a child killer.
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