Andre Davis / Photo from Chicago Police
BY JORDAN OWEN
Sun-Times Media
A 53-year-old man who served 32 years in prison for murder and rape before being exonerated by DNA evidence in 2012 now faces new murder charges. Prosecutors accuse him of killing Jamal Harmon last year in a South Side alley.
Andre Davis was charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of felony kidnapping, police said. Davis, of the 8200 block of South Eberhart Avenue, was also wanted on two bond forfeiture warrants.
On Thursday, Davis appeared in court dressed in a gray hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans to face the new murder chargers. Judge Adam Bourgeois ordered him held without bond.
Assistant State’s Attorney Robert Mack said the events that led to the killing started when Harmon attended an Oct. 7, 2013, party hosted by Davis’ nephew in the 6500 block of South Ross Avenue. During the party, Harmon and Davis’ nephew got into an argument outside the home over money lost at a dice game, Mack said.
Davis’ nephew went back inside the house, then came out with a handgun and shot Harmon, Mack said. A witness said Harmon, 19, survived the shooting and was “making sounds,” Mack said.
Davis and the witness then carried Harmon to the trunk of a Cadillac, Mack said, adding that Davis told others he was going to find a spot to dump Harmon and drove off.
Harmon’s body was discovered later that day in an alley in the 7600 block of South Carpenter Street, Mack said. He had been shot three times — in the face, lower neck and left armpit. He had also been stabbed four times, authorities said.
An autopsy confirmed Harmon, of the 6700 block of South Parnell Avenue, died of multiple stab and gunshot wounds, and his death was ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
The next day, Davis told someone he cut Harmon’s throat, Mack said.
Davis had previously been convicted of murder in 1980 for the August 1980 rape and murder of 3-year-old girl Brianna Stickle in downstate Rantoul. He spent more than 30 years in prison, but his conviction was overturned after new DNA evidence was found.
Prosecutors did not retry Davis, claiming it would have been too hard to bring a 32-year-old case to trial, and and he was released in July 2012.
Along with he 1980 murder conviction, Davis has also previously been charged with attempted murder, aggravated discharge of a weapon, and two counts of aggravated battery, according to court records. He currently faces two misdemeanor counts of DUI.
Davis will be back in court July 2.
— Contributing: AP