Michael Davis’ capital murder trial begins: Ambush or self-defense?

TUSCALOOSA, Ala (WIAT) – The capital murder trial is underway for Michael Davis, a childhood friend of former University of Alabama basketball player Darius Miles, who also faces capital murder charges for the death of Jamea Harris.

On Tuesday, opening statements began. The prosecution and defense addressed the jury and made arguments for what they believe will be backed by facts at the end of the trial.

Prosecutors claim the shooting that took the life of Jamea Harris was an ambush, whereas Davis’ attorney, John Robbins, said shots were fired in self-defense.

For almost the first two hours, the jury sat in Judge Prewitt’s courtroom and heard those arguments be made.

“Many hypothesis that a lot of jurors – that most jurors make up their minds about a case after opening statements,” Stan Glasscox said.

Glasscox is a criminal defense attorney in Tuscaloosa. While he is not associated with this case, he is very familiar with it.

“As my understanding of this case, the state and defense can kind of agree on some of the things that happened – that somebody was shot,” Glasscox said.

During day one of the trial, the prosecution said eight shots were fired back to back. The prosecution also noted that there were two shooters. The prosecution is arguing that Davis fired first.

The prosecutor showed surveillance video as evidence on Tuesday. The prosecutors allege the video shows Davis is angry after having an encounter with Cedric Johnon, Jamea Harris’ boyfriend.

“David texts Brandon Miller to bring a gun,” The prosecutors told the jury in opening statements. “Later Brandon Miller comes with a gun in his car, Davis asked ‘is the gun loaded?’, Miles says ‘you know it is’.”

However, the defense says Johnson had a gun first – which a witness, Asia Humphrey testified was given to Johnson in the car by her cousin Jamea Harris. However, the witness could not recall seeing anyone else with a gun, nor could she remember if the gun was given before or after Davis had a gun on him.

“This case is about Cedric Johnson’s pride, jealousy, and insecurity,” Robbins said.

While prosecutors said Davis was angry, Robbins said his actions on surveillance video are anything but angry.

“You will see video of Micheal Davis around the corner of CVS, all he is doing is dancing,” Robbins said. “The prosecution wants you to have tunnel vision about the facts of this case.”

Robbins claimed Davis acted in self-defense. It’s valid argument in court Glasscox said, but it means the jury will have to understand more about Alabama’s law to decide whether or not it applies in this case.