BARTOW, Fla. -- He's been indicted on second-degree murder charges, but that won't stop ex-Lakeland Commissioner Michael Dunn from getting to travel for a weekend getaway to Savannah, Georgia next month.
Thursday, a judge granted permission for Michael Dunn to make the trip to celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary with his wife, despite being under house arrest. It was a trip Dunn had already paid for.
The judge is also allowing Dunn to travel to Orlando to meet with his lawyers at their offices there.
Michael Dunn is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Christobal Lopez, who was shot on Oct. 3 while allegedly shoplifting from the military surplus store Dunn owns. The investigating officer said Lopez never made any threats and was holding the blade of the hatchet in his palm. Police say Dunn admitted to shooting the man twice because he was stealing.
Dunn is not protected under Florida's "stand your ground" law, said State Attorney Brian Haas. The law says a person can use deadly force "if the person reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to defend himself or herself or another against such other's imminent use of unlawful force."
Dunn resigned his seat as Lakeland city commissioner after being charged. He was forced to surrender any weapons he has and remain on house arrest.
Dunn is being represented by Mark O'Mara, the same attorney who helped George Zimmerman get acquitted in the 2012 fatal shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
►Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the 10News app now.
Have a news tip? Email desk@wtsp.com, or visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.
