On Wednesday the 13th of March, the Circuit Justice Lex Short sentenced Anthony James “A.J.” Siler Jr. 50, of Opp to life imprisonment with parole possibility for the murder in July of Michael Devone Davis, 44 who was also from Opp. Siler received a third sentence of life imprisonment following his conviction for abuse of the body and abuse of a corpse, with Short giving the sentences to run in parallel to each other.
Siler’s sentence was imposed following his conviction in May by the Covington County jury. The Assistant District Attorney Nikki Stephens tried the case for the State along alongside District Attorney Walt Merrell.
Siler received a sentence under the state’s Habitual Felony Offender Act, with five previous convictions for felony. One of Siler’s prior convictions was for burglary in the first degree which was also a Class A felony, and that was the basis for the life sentence without parole for Davis who was convicted of murder. When questioned by Judge Short whether Siler had any comments to make prior to the hearing and the sentence handed down, Siler replied, “No.”
“When you commit murder like Siler did and you are convicted of murder, there is no acceptable sentence other than a lifetime for lifetime,” Merrell said. “Siler’s previous convictions demonstrate his inclination to commit violence and disregard for the law. We are satisfied with the sentences imposed by Judge Short and reiterate our thanks for the jury who delivered the verdicts.”
“While we will not return Michael into his home, I would like to see they all find some comfort in the knowledge that A.J. will breathe his last breaths in an inmate cell. Although A.J. has never regretted what he did, he will have the rest of his days to consider whether it decision was worth it for him. A.J. Siler had a shady character and killed Michael simply because he felt at risk and embarrassed by Davis divulging his past,” Stephens said.
The evidence presented at trial revealed that on July 15 the 15th of July, Siler along with Davis had numerous interactions at various places in Opp and each interaction escalated into hostileness. Then, Davis began discussing his sexuality with Siler in front of other people as well, and Siler was angry, and told an eye witness that he was going to kill Davis.
Two eyewitnesses to the crime said Siler was in Childre Trailer Park in the early morning hours on July 16 when he turned his vehicle towards Davis and attempted to strike Davis with his vehicle. When Davis was turning around to confront Siler, Siler quickly exited his vehicle carrying a loaded shotgun, and then approached unarmed Davis. After an unintentional exchange, Siler fired the gun at point blank range, shooting Davis in the upper chest and neck region. Witnesses later claimed that Siler told an individual witness on how to put Davis body into the vehicle in threatening to kill the witness in case of any breach of. Siler then drove off to New Hope Church Road, which is where he disposed of Davis body in a pond with a marshy area. The vehicle was later abandoned in a burned-out house in Opp and tried to find evidence from the scene and then fled to the Fleeta region. The next day, he was arrested. morning.
Siler was later questioned by police. He admitted to having fired at Davis and claimed that it was self-defense. Siler initially told police Davis came at him with a large “stick,” but later was able to testify at trial that Davis had knives and a stick. Siler frequently told police that his name was “everything” for him. He said it was significant to him that what “streets” considered of his character and he fought to deny any previous sexual relations with Davis.
Davis remains in the family of four brothers and sisters as well as numerous family members: Sisters, Betty Davis, Vickie Davis as well as Sabrina Davis; and a brother, Ricky Davis, collectively released a statement after the sentencing. “We are thankful to have this closure. Michael was loved deeply and deeply loved. Michael has passed away, but not forgotten. We extend a heartfelt thank to the staff at the office of the DA, Nikki and Amber [Gladwellas well as anyone else in the world who helped in obtaining justice to Michael.”
“I’d want to once again express”thank you” for the Opp Police Department, together with the Covington County Sheriff’s Office, Andalusia Police Department, and State Bureau of Investigations, each of which played a role during the investigation. A special thanks for those in the Davis family for allowing us to investigate this case and to find justice Michael deserves,” Stephens said.
The story Siler receives a life sentence for the murders of Michael Davis in Opp was originally published in The Andalusia Star-News.
