The second day of a Florida murder trial that has reanimated debates over the state's hot-button gun control and self-defense laws was underway Friday with two police officers testifying that a Georgia teenager who was shot after a dispute over loud music died almost immediately.
Officers Robert Holmes and Dawn Valentine of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said they discovered Jordan Davis slumped against another young man in the backseat of an SUV with blood coming out of his back.
Michael Dunn, 47, a white software engineer, is on trial for the death of Davis, 17, an African-American. He pleaded not guilty and says he shot Davis in self-defense on Nov. 23, 2012.
Davis' friend, Tevin Thompson, one of the four passengers inside the SUV at the time of the incident, testified that he and his friends were playing music loudly in the car while they waited for another friend to make a purchase inside the convenience store.
Dunn then pulled into the parking spot next to the SUV. He seemed agitated and shouted at them to "turn your music down. I can't hear myself think," Thompson said.
During opening statements Thursday, prosecutor John Guy told jurors that Davis did not pose a threat to Dunn and that there was not a weapon in Davis' vehicle.
Dunn's lawyer, Cory Strolla, told jurors Dunn felt threatened and fired in self-defense. Under Florida law, Dunn had a right not to be a victim, the defense attorney said.
Amid the dispute, Davis brandished a pocket knife, Strolla said.
Strolla said Davis said to Dunn, "I should kill you right now."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
