Donovan Parchman, 21, was charged with murder and taken to the Oxford City Jail, where he remained Monday afternoon, Lt. L.G. Owens said.
Parchman is being held on $100,000 cash bond, charged with punching 18-year-old Christopher Davis in the head during a Sept. 28 fight.
Davis died Friday at Gadsden Regional Medical Center from complications related to that injury, Owens said.
Investigators who responded to the September assault on Hickory Drive call originally categorized the incident as a simple assault because, Owens said, they were not aware of the extent of Davis’ injuries.
During the Sept. 28 argument, Davis was struck in the head with a closed fist, according to a police report. Investigators determined the blow caused Davis to fall and strike his head on the pavement of Hickory Drive, where police said the fight occurred.
Owens said Davis was transported to Regional Medical Center for treatment that night, but RMC personnel later took the man to UAB Hospital in Birmingham for more intensive care.
Owens said he doesn’t know how long Davis remained at UAB, but noted the man’s condition remained critical. On Oct. 6, Parchman was arrested on a felony assault warrant related to the case.
He eventually bonded out of jail on that charge.
On Friday, Christopher Davis was transported to Gadsden Regional Medical Center, where he remained on life support until he died that same day from breathing complications, Owens said.
The lieutenant said he did not know the reason for Davis’ transfer to the Gadsden hospital.
Officers arrested Parchman early Monday, after obtaining an upgraded charge of murder.
Owens described Parchman and Davis as acquaintances and said their original argument began as a dispute over a dog.
Parchman’s court date is set for Dec. 15.
