Don Lemon (CNN) reacts to Dunn verdict

[DaisyJane]

I did not follow this trial.  But I heard it was about a white man shooting into a car carrying young black men.  The white man (Michael Dunn) was upset they were playing some loud music, and I believe asked them to turn it down.  All I know is then he fired several shots at the vehicle, killing one and injuring 2 others.  I believe Dunn said he thought the victim had a gun and it was self defense.  The jury found him guilty of 2 counts of attempted murder, but hung on the first degree murder charge for the deceased victim.  Please correct if I have any facts incorrect.

So I guess Don Lemon was visibly angry and upset about the jury not being able to decide on the first count. 

Isn't someone REPORTING on the news supposed to be more impartial when he REPORTS on the news?

This is why they don't have true credibility anymore.

DaisyJane   

[TboneAgain]

I did not follow this trial.  But I heard it was about a white man shooting into a car carrying young black men.  The white man (Michael Dunn) was upset they were playing some loud music, and I believe asked them to turn it down.  All I know is then he fired several shots at the vehicle, killing one and injuring 2 others.  I believe Dunn said he thought the victim had a gun and it was self defense.  The jury found him guilty of 2 counts of attempted murder, but hung on the first degree murder charge for the deceased victim.  Please correct if I have any facts incorrect.

So I guess Don Lemon was visibly angry and upset about the jury not being able to decide on the first count. 

Isn't someone REPORTING on the news supposed to be more impartial when he REPORTS on the news?

This is why they don't have true credibility anymore.

DaisyJane   

A good many commentators, professional and otherwise, have pointed out the glaring disparity in the level of press coverage between this case and the Trayvon Martin case. While the Martin/Zimmerman case received wall-to-wall non-stop banner headline coverage for weeks on end, Michael Dunn's trial, indeed the entire case, has received bare mention. For example, it is little known that the shooting itself took place well over a year ago, in November 2012. And, as you have pointed out, those who have heard of the Dunn case are generally confused because the reportage has been so scant.

There are a number of differences between the two cases, many of them reflecting badly on Dunn. In the end, Dunn was found guilty on six out of seven charges and, depending on sentencing, is likely to spend many years, if not the rest of his life, in prison.

However, in political terms (and almost everything about the media is political these days), there is one overriding difference between Dunn's case and the Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman saga. Martin died early in 2012, at almost a perfect time for his death to be used by the media to stir up race-based resentment among black voters in time for the Kenyan's reelection; in fact, that is precisely what the media did in a transparent and shameless effort to influence the election. By contrast, Dunn did his shooting in November 2012, just after the election -- too late to be of political use to the media. THAT is why the coverage has been so thin.

[supsalemgr]

It seems to me prosecutors in FL have a tendency to over reach with their prosecutions, By that, I mean they go for convictions for levels of crime that are more difficult to reach a guilty verdict. I come to this conclusion based on the Casey Anthony, Zimmerman and this case have the same characteristics.It seems to me in this case a charge of 2nd degree murder would have been a slam dunk. pre-meditation was a tough sell in this case.

[DaisyJane]

A good many commentators, professional and otherwise, have pointed out the glaring disparity in the level of press coverage between this case and the Trayvon Martin case. While the Martin/Zimmerman case received wall-to-wall non-stop banner headline coverage for weeks on end, Michael Dunn's trial, indeed the entire case, has received bare mention. For example, it is little known that the shooting itself took place well over a year ago, in November 2012. And, as you have pointed out, those who have heard of the Dunn case are generally confused because the reportage has been so scant.

There are a number of differences between the two cases, many of them reflecting badly on Dunn. In the end, Dunn was found guilty on six out of seven charges and, depending on sentencing, is likely to spend many years, if not the rest of his life, in prison.

However, in political terms (and almost everything about the media is political these days), there is one overriding difference between Dunn's case and the Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman saga. Martin died early in 2012, at almost a perfect time for his death to be used by the media to stir up race-based resentment among black voters in time for the Kenyan's reelection; in fact, that is precisely what the media did in a transparent and shameless effort to influence the election. By contrast, Dunn did his shooting in November 2012, just after the election -- too late to be of political use to the media. THAT is why the coverage has been so thin.

I was on overload after the Zimmerman case.  Just didn't want to get in to a similar racially loaded trial again. 

Interesting take about the use of the trial prior to an election.  I know reporters are human beings, and therefore will have a personal opinion.  I just don't like to hear blatantly biased reporting.

DaisyJane

[DaisyJane]

It seems to me prosecutors in FL have a tendency to over reach with their prosecutions, By that, I mean they go for convictions for levels of crime that are more difficult to reach a guilty verdict. I come to this conclusion based on the Casey Anthony, Zimmerman and this case have the same characteristics.It seems to me in this case a charge of 2nd degree murder would have been a slam dunk. pre-meditation was a tough sell in this case.

The whole thing sounded really senseless to me overall. 

However, I think people sometimes misunderstand the concept of premeditation.  It doesn't have to be hardly more than a second.  So, if you got out of your vehicle and approached the other, that is enough time to be premeditation.  It didn't have to be from the time you left your house!  Juries can usually give a lesser verdict anyway.  Casey Anthony wasn't all or nothing.  That was one dumb jury.  No one else could possibly be responsible for that baby's death. 

DaisyJane