Michael Dunn murder trial jury selection set for Sept. 22

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 12 (UPI) -- A Florida judge has set the date for jury selection in the retrial of Michael Dunn, the man accused of murdering a teenager over loud music.

Jury selection will begin September 22, without a change of venue, Circuit Judge Russell Healey ruled Thursday, declining a motion to relocate the trial due to publicity. Healey said he might still consider moving the trial if efforts to find an unbiased jury prove unsuccessful.

The judge said unbiased jurors need not be unaware of the case, simply those who could keep an open mind.

Dunn's attorney, Waffa Hanania, has argued the publicity around the trial would prevent a fair trial in Jacksonville. State Attorney Angela Corey opposed the motion.

Dunn, 47, was already found guilty in February on three counts of attempted murder and a weapons charge for opening fire at a gas station, killing 17-year-old Jordan Davis. The jury was unable to come to an agreement on the fifth and most serious charge, the first-degree murder of Davis.

Dunn has claimed self defense, saying he felt threatened by Davis and his three friends, whom he said threatened to kill him and brandished a shotgun at him. Only Davis was hit.

Prosecutors have said Dunn was bothered by the loud rap music playing in the teens' car and said the shooting had racial overtones: Dunn is white and Davis was black.