3½ Minutes, Ten Bullets

Dir: Marc Silver

2015

****

Marc Silver's 3½ Minutes, Ten Bullets follows the murder trial of Jordan Davis and gives insight into how the investigation was handled and the bizarre laws the defence used to try and get their client off. The documentary starts by painting a picture of Jordan Davis. Davis was not a troubled child, nor did he get into trouble inside or outside of school. He was from a middle-class background and lived in the heart of suburbia. On the day of his murder he and his friends had driven to a garage to pick up some gum on their way to town to see if they couldn't meet some girls. The friends were typical seventeen year old guys, they had their music playing loud and they were in high spirits. However, none of them tested positive for drink or drugs, and apart from loud music, the friends weren't causing any nuisance. Meanwhile, Michael Dunn and his girlfriend had decided to stop off at the same shop and buy some wine. They had just left Dunn's Son's wedding, had been drinking and wanted more alcohol when they got home. Dunn complained about the music and the friends turned it down, Davis protested and Dunn reached into his front compartment, pulled out a gun and shot him as he sat in his friend’s car. He continued to shoot at the boys as they drove away in panic. Dunn claims that he felt his life was threatened and later said he thought he saw a weapon in the boy's car. Dunn's lawyer cited Florida's stand-your-ground law in his defence. Marc Silver's film follows the trial and looks at each individual involved in the incident to paint an honest picture of what really happened that day and how the law is in need of an update. The conclusion of the trial is baffling and raises all sorts of disturbing questions. Silver uses testimonies, audio and visual recordings and court statements sensibly, keeps to the facts but also highlights points that the court and jury seem to overlook. Having sat on a jury on more than one occasion I feel the frustration but am not surprised by the turn of events. The most shocking element of the story, and one that Silver raises without force, is the innocents that Dunn claims. Prison phone calls to his girlfriend record him say "It's absurd, everything is absurd. And like I'm the *beep* victim here. It's 100% on Jordan...100%. I don't even take a half a percent. I mean he...he...he made that happen. But you know, maybe he would have killed somebody if it hadn't been me." The frightening truth revealed is that Dunn really does believe he is a victim. Chilling viewing but excellent investigative journalism.