Derrick Lamar Davis, the defendant, told Calhoun County Circuit Judge Malcolm Street he was guilty of breaking into an Oxford home in March 2007 and shooting to death his ex-girlfriend while she slept.
Davis was originally charged with two counts of capital murder for the killing of his former girlfriend Latoya Young, but was allowed Thursday to plead to the two lesser charges of murder and burglary after prosecutors and Young’s family consented to a plea agreement.
Young’s family attended the hearing in Street’s courtroom today and sat quietly as they watched their deceased daughter’s former boyfriend plead guilty.
The chief assistant district attorney for Calhoun County recounted the evidence prosecutors had against Davis before he entered his guilty pleas:
On the night of March 18, 2007, Davis broke into the house of Young’s mother on U.S. 78 West in Oxford. After kicking in the front door, Davis went to the upstairs bedroom where Young was sleeping, pulled out a handgun and shot her while she slept.
Oxford police investigated the case and discovered that Davis and Young had a history of domestic violence, and that the court had issued a protective order banning Davis from making contact with Young.
Davis eventually confessed to investigators and told them where he had hidden the gun used in Young’s murder, Hammond told Street during the hearing.
Afterward, Davis pleaded guilty and expressed regret at his actions.
He turned around to face Young’s family in the gallery and apologized to them.
“I wish this had not happened,” he said.
Street sentenced Davis to two consecutive life sentences in prison as the victim’s family had agreed upon with prosecutors.
Davis was in the Calhoun County Jail today and was set to be transferred to state custody later this week.
Contact Star Staff Writer Cameron Steele at 256-235-3562.
