On the night of May 6, 1983, a couple setting up their camper in Orleans Parish were attacked by two men. The husband was shot and killed, the wife robbed. Witnesses who heard the gunshots reported seeing two men fleeing the campground. Police came to focus on Jerry Davis, based on the statements of the two likely perpetrators of the crime – Phillip Ware and Allen Johnson. Ware pleaded guilty to manslaughter after being charged with first degree murder. He and Johnson implicated Mr. Davis as the shooter. They both lied to the jury about why they were testifying against Mr. Davis and concealed benefits they would receive for their testimony. Mr. Davis was convicted of first degree murder in July 1983. The jury could not agree unanimously on imposing the death penalty, so he was sentenced to life in March 1984. Mr. Davis continued to fight his case and maintained his innocence.
Innocence & Justice Louisiana began investigating his case in 2021, uncovering much evidence that was withheld or hidden by lead prosecutor James (Jim) Williams and the police. The newly discovered evidence included documentation of: the victims’ statements and a dying declaration that contradicted trial testimony, statements from the likely perpetrators that impeached their trial testimony, a fabricated statement from a witness used to link Mr. Davis to the murder weapon, and reports detailing how police came to rely on the lies told by the real perpetrators. The district court found that the state had failed to turn over favorable evidence before trial and knowingly used false testimony. Mr. Davis had his conviction overturned in July 2023 and he was released in August 2023. He was exonerated 40 years after his wrongful conviction, in March 2024.
