Aggravated robbery, battery trial underway in Miller County

Sponsor

Trial began Monday for a 23-year-old Texarkana man accused of robbing a man and shooting him in both arms and both legs.

Shelby Jamal Davis faces 10 to 40 years or life if convicted of robbing Jimmy Jones in the parking lot of the Fox Creek Apartments on the evening of Nov. 15, 2015. Davis is also charged with four counts of battery for each of the gunshot wounds he allegedly inflicted. Each of those counts is punishable by five to 20 years in prison. Davis could receive additional 15-year sentences on each of the counts of battery for using a firearm.

A jury of seven women and five men was chosen Monday and testimony began Monday afternoon. Texarkana, Ark., Police Department Corp. William Smith testified that he was dispatched to the scene at about 8:50 p.m. Nov. 15. Smith said he counted six shell casings in the parking lot though the victim, Jimmy Jones, had been shot four times, once in each arm and each leg. Smith said he identified witnesses and photographed Jones’ injuries, which included a cut on his face from being pistol whipped, under questioning from Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kristian Robertson.

Smith said the only eyewitness he identified at the scene was Justin Nowlin, Jones’ roommate. Nowlin testifed Monday that he was walking a female friend to her car as Jones was walking to the parking lot to meet a friend he knew from working at Applebees restaurant in Texarkana. Nowlin said Jones got into the back passenger seat of a white Nissan Altima which backed into a space just a few feet from the stairs leading up to the apartment he and Jones shared.

Nowlin said he sat at the bottom of the steps after hearing loud voices, under questioning from Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Connie Mitchell. Nowlin said Davis shouted, “You don’t know me n—-r. I’m from the hood,” before running up to Jones, whom Nowlin said was apologizing to Davis. Nowlin testified that Davis pistol whipped Jones and then began shooting, firing six shots in all.

Nowlin is scheduled to continue testifying Tuesday morning under cross examination from the defense. Circuit Judge Brent Haltom put the jury in an evening recess after Nowlin testified under questioning by the state.

The jury also heard testimony Monday from Jake Radney. Radney testified that he made arrangements Nov. 15, 2015, to buy some marijuana from Jones, who he knew from working at Applebees. Radney, who was very nervous during his time on the stand, testified he picked up Davis at about noon the day of the shooting and the two had been drinking vodka, smoking marijuana and had taken Xanax.

Radney said he has completed a residential drug treatment program and no longer uses drugs. Radney said he does not know what Jones may have said that angered Davis and that he remained in the car after the other two men got out.

Radney denied knowing that Davis had a gun until Davis got back into the Altima after the shooting. Radney also denied knowing what Davis did with the gun after he drove away from the Fox Creek Apartments.

Testimony is scheduled to resume Tuesday morning. Davis is currently being held in the Miller County jail. He was released on a $250,000 bond in March 2016 but his bond was revoked following an arrest by Texarkana, Ark., police Sept. 24, 2017, for alleged possession of drugs and a handgun. Those charges remain pending.

Previous articleBowie County Sheriff’s Office Warns of Phone Scam
Next articleForklift Certification Training Class to Be Held at U of A Hope