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In beer bottle killing: guilty

A self-defense claim is rejected in the woman's death.

By ABHI RAGHUNATHAN, Times Staff Writer
Published September 21, 2007

LARGO - Cortez Davis claimed he was just trying to defend himself. He told jurors that he closed his eyes and swung a bottle of Natural Ice beer at Debra Williams because he thought she was going to hurt him.

Jurors didn't buy it. On Thursday afternoon, they rejected Davis' claims of self-defense and found him guilty of second-degree murder.

Davis, 22, showed little emotion as the verdict was read. His attorney, Frank Louderback, called it "a sad ending for everyone."

Davis will be sentenced Oct. 29. He has several other outstanding charges pending as well.

Several members of Williams' family pumped their fists as the verdict was read. Assistant State Attorney Kelly McKnight said she was pleased with the verdict.

The trial illuminated one of the biggest difficulties authorities have in carrying out prosecutions: finding reliable witnesses who are willing to testify.

Detective Ronald Noodwang said at least a dozen people may have seen Davis attack Williams. But only one - Johnnie Jackson, Jr. - offered eyewitness testimony about the murder in court, and did so only after police sought him out.

"No one voluntarily came forward and told detectives anything," McKnight told jurors.

In her closing argument, McKnight reminded jurors that Davis blindsided Williams and killed her by jamming a beer bottle into her head. The force of the blow shattered her skull.

It all began with a day of drinking last July 11. A group was gathered under a tree near Newton Avenue S and Ninth Street, a popular hangout. At least a dozen people were sitting around, talking and drinking.

Throughout the day, Debra Williams, 38, had been arguing with Davis.

That evening, Davis hit her with the bottle, then left. He later turned himself in to police after he heard that detectives were looking for him. David admitted to hitting Williams, but said he did it in self-defense.

When he testified during the trial, Davis said he thought Williams was going to cut him with a box cutter or some other sharp object. But no box cutter was found near her body.

Louderback reminded jurors in his closing argument that Williams had been argumentative all day, and that her blood-alcohol level was .19 at the time of her death.

But prosecutors said none of that justified the violent way Davis had attacked her.

"This was a cowardly act," prosecutor Michael Marr said during closing arguments.

"She did not deserve to die this way."

Abhi Raghunathan can be reached at araghunathan@sptimes.com or 727 893-8472.

[Last modified September 20, 2007, 23:19:55]