Murder trial begins in neighbor’s shooting

Published 12:00 am Monday, November 16, 2009

The trial of accused murderer Eric Davis began today in Warren County Circuit Court with jury selection.

Davis, 35, is accused of shooting Devin M. Moore during a property line argument on June 25, 2008. Davis lived at the time with his girlfriend at 112 Meadowvale Drive, said District Attorney Ricky Smith. He told the court this morning that his address most recently has been 1807 Military Ave.

Authorities said Davis and Moore’s mother, Helen Williams, 106 Meadowvale Drive, had been involved in an ongoing feud over the area between their homes, which are next door to each other.

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Moore, who was 23, attempted to intervene while the two were arguing, and was shot, police reported.

Neighbors made emergency calls at 10:13 p.m., and police and medical workers found Moore at the end of Davis’ driveway. He was pronounced dead shortly afterward at River Region Medical Center, with wounds in the chest, legs, back and buttocks.

Davis turned himself in to police about 30 minutes after the shooting. He had been identified by witnesses who said he was the man they saw running away after the shots were fired.

Davis has been free on $125,000 bond and living with relatives, said Smith. He has been ordered to stay away from the Meadowdale Drive area.

In its January term, the Warren County Grand Jury indicted Davis on two counts, murder and being a felon in possession of a weapon, and he’s being tried on both counts, Smith said.

If found guilty on the murder charge, Davis would receive a life sentence without parole. The weapon charge carries a maximum 10-year sentence.

Jurors were chosen this morning from a pool of 250 summoned from voter registration rolls, said Smith. Presiding Judge Isadore Patrick told the court this morning jurors would be sequestered throughout the trial.

Davis is represented by Vicksburg attorney John Bullard.

Moore’s death took place in a month that was one of the most deadly in Vicksburg history, with five homicides recorded.

Shot June 6 on Speed Street was 26-year-old David Becker. Two men indicted for the murder were not prosecuted, reportedly because witnesses were unavailable to testify.

Also killed that month was 25-year-old mother of three Denise Jackson, her unborn child and Preston Qualls, 25, in a June 26 shooting spree on Ken Karyl Avenue. Eric Jackson, who is not related to Denise Jackson, is serving a life sentence after his March 25 conviction.

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Contact Pamela Hitchins at phitchins@vicksburgpost.com