A Florida man convicted of first-degree murder for shooting a teenager to death over loud music was sentenced to life without parole Friday. Michael Dunn, 47, was convicted of killing Jordan Davis, 17, in November 2012 after he shot into a SUV of four teenagers 10 times when an argument broke out over loud music coming from the teens’ vehicle. Dunn was sentenced to an additional 90 years in prison for three attempted murder convictions and another 15 years for firing into an occupied vehicle. “Our justice system works. This case demonstrates that our justice system does work,” said Judge Russell Healey at the sentencing.
Dunn was found guilty on three counts of second-degree attempted murder in January, but a mistrial was declared on the first-degree murder charge. A jury in early October found Dunn, who is white, guilty of murdering Davis, who was black. Testimony during the sentencing, including a statement by Davis’ father, Ron Davis, lasted about an hour. Prosecutors did not pursue the death penalty, according to NBC South Florida.
* * * * *
SIMON COWELL TO JUDGE ‘AMERICA’S GOT TALENT’
The former “American Idol” judge is replacing Howard Stern on the NBC reality competition.
“I am really thrilled to be joining ‘America’s Got Talent’ next season,” Cowell said in a statement on Thursday. “What I love about this show is that it’s open to absolutely anyone. America has some fantastic talent just waiting to be discovered, and I would like that talent to come to our show, including any dogs who can sing!”
“The good news is ‘America’s Got Talent’ is back next year and the even better news is so am I!” Cowell also tweeted on Thursday morning.
Cowell created the show’s format that’s now a worldwide property when it launched in 2006. Cowell has also judged both the U.S. and original U.K. versions of “The X Factor,” where he was notorious for his curt, harsh comments to contestants (and his plain black T-shirts)
“Simon knows this format better than anyone and he’s been producing the show with us since the beginning, so we’re thrilled to have him step in front of the camera and take his rightful place at the head of the judges’ panel,” NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt said.
Season 10, the past cycle of “AGT,” averaged 12.5 million viewers overall with its Tuesday airing — the show’s most-watched season in four years.
Cowell is an executive producer along with Sam Donnelly, Jason Raff, Trish Kinane and Richard Wallac. “AGT” is produced by FremantleMedia North America and Syco Entertainment, Cowell’s venture with Sony Music.
Auditions for the new season of “AGT” are currently underway; Detroit will be the next city to host auditions on Nov. 7. “AGT” returns to NBC in the summer of 2016.
https://www.yahoo.com/tv/s/simon-cowell-judge-america-got-talent-130817870.html
* * * * *
[…] By Barb Dye […]