Sign In
Events
Newsletters
Search

Close

Close Search

Cancel

SEARCH
MY LAW.COMNEW

Davis v. State

The defendant stabbed the victim to death following an altercation at a 2008 Thanksgiving dinner.

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Appellant Mark S. Davis was convicted of felony murder for the November 27, 2008, death of the victim Roy Robinson.1 He appeals from the denial of his motion for a new trial. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm. 1. Appellant contends the trial court erred when it upheld its denial of his motion for a directed verdict. We review the denial of a motion for directed verdict as we would a claim challenging the sufficiency of the evidence. Bell v. State , 284 Ga. 790 1 671 SE2d 815 2009; Thomas v. State , 239 Ga. 734 2 238 SE2d 888 1977.

The record shows that on Thanksgiving day 2008, appellant, Robinson, Terry Shawn Luke, and Priscilla Lowe were having dinner at Lowe’s apartment. Throughout the day, appellant, Robinson, and Lowe had been drinking beer and, after dinner, they began drinking liquor provided by Robinson. Appellant and Robinson, who were both intoxicated, started roughhousing with each other. The fight became more serious when appellant pushed Robinson and Robinson struck appellant in the back of the head with a drinking glass which shattered on impact, cutting appellant’s neck. Luke testified that appellant pulled out a knife from his pocket after being hit with the glass. Luke and Lowe testified that Robinson came forward with a couch cushion, verbally threatening appellant. Appellant chased Robinson with the knife and stabbed Robinson to death in the hallway of the apartment. Neither Luke nor Rowe witnessed the stabbing because Luke had retreated to the bathroom and Rowe had retreated to the kitchen to avoid the melee. Rowe testified that she heard “bodies hitting walls” while she was in the kitchen. After the fight was over, Rowe saw appellant leave the house with a knife in his hand. She also saw the victim lying on the floor in the hallway, asking her to call 911. Robinson died at the scene from his injuries which included “sharp-force wounds” to his heart, lung, diaphragm and liver. No form of a weapon was found on Robinson’s body.

Trending Stories

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

LEARN MORE

More From ALM

Premium Subscription
With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Team Accounts
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Bundle Subscriptions
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
Go to CLE Center
GlobeSt. Women of Influence (WOI) 2024
July 22, 2024 - July 24, 2024
Lake Tahoe, CA

GlobeSt. Women of Influence Conference celebrates the women who drive the commercial real estate industry forward.


Learn More
New York Legal Awards 2024
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
African Legal Awards 2024
September 06, 2024
Johannesburg

The African Legal Awards recognise exceptional achievement within Africa s legal community during a period of rapid change.


Learn More
Go to Events Go to Webcasts
MID-SENIOR LEVEL EMPLOYMENT ASSOCIATE OR PARTNER WANTED FOR BOUTIQUE FIRM OPPORTUNITY TO INHERIT AND GROW PRACTICE (Atlanta, GA)

Our client, an outstanding boutique litigation firm based in Atlanta, is seeking to add an experienced Employment Litigation Attorney to the...


Apply Now ›
(EXCLUSIVE FULLY REMOTE) INSURANCE COVERAGE ASSOCIATE OR COUNSEL WANTED FOR MULTI-STATE BOUTIQUE LAW FIRM (Florida)

Our client, a multi-state full-service boutique, is seeking to add an insurance coverage associate or counsel to work closely with one of th...


Apply Now ›
(EXCLUSIVE) IN-HOUSE GENERALIST ATTORNEY WANTED FOR PRIVATELY OWNED CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FIRM (Atlanta, GA)

Our client, an Atlanta-based and family-owned commercial construction services firm, has engaged us to identify an in-house attorney for the...


Apply Now ›
Go to Lawjobs
Lawyers of Distinction
06/27/2024
The American Lawyer

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
SMGQ Law
06/21/2024
Daily Business Review

Full Page Announcement


View Announcement ›
Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari
06/14/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
Go to Professional Announcements