Michael Lynn Davis was found guilty of capital murder in the 2023 shooting death of Jamea Harris.
The prosecution argued Davis ambushed Harris and her boyfriend, while the defense claimed self-defense.
Former University of Alabama basketball player Darius Miles, whose gun was used in the shooting, awaits trial.
Michael Lynn Davis was found guilty of capital murder Friday in the 2023 shooting death of Jamea Harris in the Strip area of Tuscaloosa, near the University of Alabama campus.
The case is tied to former University of Alabama basketball player Darius Miles, who is also charged with capital murder but will be tried separately. Davis is a childhood friend of Miles.
Jurors deliberated for a little more than an hour before reaching a verdict. Davis was led out of the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court courtroom in tears after telling family members he loves them.
The state, led by Tuscaloosa County chief assistant district attorney Paula Whitley, argued that Davis ambushed a vehicle driven by Harris’ boyfriend, Cedric Johnson, with Harris in the passenger seat.
It argued that, in an exchange of gunfire, Davis was first to shoot with a gun that belonged to Miles and was delivered to him by Brandon Miller, who was Miles’ teammate with the Crimson Tide and is now a star with the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA.
Miles, who was also charged with capital murder, is awaiting trial. Miller was not charged with a crime.
The defense, led by Birmingham attorney John Robbins, argued that Davis acted in self-defense and that Johnson was the first to open fire. The defense built its case around the theory that Johnson was ‘on the hunt’ for Davis and his friends after an earlier altercation between Davis and Johnson near the corner of Grace Street and University Boulevard.
Harris was in the passenger seat of her 2018 Jeep Wrangler and was struck by a single bullet to her chin. According to testimony, Harris gave Johnson her gun after the initial interaction with Davis.
Davis will face life in prison without the possibility of parole.