The trial for a local man accused of shooting and paralyzing a man who later died of his injuries began Monday in Hamilton County Criminal Court.
Marvin Jermane Davis, 51, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Michael Williams, 32.
On the dreary, rainy afternoon of Jan. 3, 2020, Davis allegedly emptied his revolver at Williams in a Chattanooga residential area, assistant district attorney Jason Demastus said during opening statements.
“He didn’t shoot once. He didn’t shoot twice,” Demastus said. “He shot until the gun was empty.”
Williams was eventually on the ground unable to move his legs, he said.
He struggled to stop what was happening to him, but it was too late for him, Demastus said. Once Davis’ gun was empty, he allegedly walked over to Williams and started beating him with it.
“You’ll see video of it,” he said. “You’ll see his legs not moving.”
(READ MORE: Former Chattanooga police chief, unions strike deal over subpoena)
Neighbors struggled to keep Williams alive until police arrived, Demastus said. Williams was transported to the hospital, but he would never be the same.
He died about four months later from his injuries, Demastus said.
Williams’ wife, Sarah McCullough, previously told the Chattanooga Times Free Press he died in late May after spending months in an assisted living facility.
Due to COVID-19 no-visitor polices, the last time Williams’ four children were able to see him in person was two months before his death, she said.
(READ MORE: Hamilton County judge reviews evidence in confidential informant case)
Davis’ defense attorney, Daniel Ripper, argued during opening statements Williams bullied and harassed Davis for months to the point that Davis was scared for his own safety.
That afternoon, there was allegedly an altercation between the two, Ripper said. Williams allegedly put his phone down and took his shirt off in an attempt to attack Davis.
It’s terrible that somebody was shot, and neither Ripper nor Davis will try to justify that, Ripper said.
“Why did it happen? he said. “We believe if you listen to why it happened at the end of this case you’ll find my client not guilty.”
Davis’ trial is expected to continue Tuesday morning in front of Judge Barry Steelman.
He is one of at least three men who have faced a murder trial so far this year. A Hamilton County jury found Jason Chen guilty on Jan. 20 of first-degree murder, and D’Ante Jones was found guilty Thursday of second-degree murder.
Contact Sofia Saric at ssaric@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Judge Barry Steelman speaks Aug. 21, 2024, during a trial at the courts building in Chattanooga. Marvin Jermane Davis, 51, faced his first day of trial Monday in front of Steelman.