Jason Davis Murder Trial Underway

Testimony in the murder trial of Jason Davis got underway today in downtown Monroe. But court was dismissed while the first witness was still on the stand. Davis is charged with second degree murder in the death of Joe Jones last June. Sgt Richard Giddens, with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Department, testified about surveillance video showing Davis and Jones meeting and leaving in Jones' truck from a gas station. Giddens said the video also showed Davis returning to the business in Jones' truck, then washing himself off. At that point, a member of the jury motioned to speak with Judge Danny Ellender. Shortly after, the judge cleared the courtroom and said the trial would resume tomorrow. The trial started this afternoon with opening statements from both attorneys. They told their story about how Joe Jones was killed and his body found in a wooded area in Swartz. Both attorneys say Jones became acquainted with Davis when Davis was a waiter for a Barnhills Buffet in Monroe. They say Jones left Davis big tips and later Jones even tried to offer Davis a job with the construction company he worked for. Last June when Jones was murdered, the attorneys say Jones met Davis at Dave's Chevron in Swartz. Both were seen in surveillance video leaving the gas station in Jones' vehicle. During the trip the state says Davis robbed Jones and stabbed him to death. Jones' wallet, cell phone and money box were reported missing, but never found. Davis' attorney says during the trip Jones told Davis about all the money and job favors he'd offered him in the past. The defense attorney said the 66 year old Jones asked Davis for a sexual favor. When Davis refused to do it, he says Jones pulled a knife and tried to force him to do the sexual favor. He says both got into an altercation with the knife, but Jones was stabbed to death in self defense. Surveillance video from a nearby carwash revealed Jones' truck returning with Davis driving.