ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO) -
ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO) - A jury has found a former Orlando police officer, on trial for the second-degree murder of his son, not guilty.
Prosecutors claimed that Timothy Davis Sr., 48, lost control of his senses following a physical altercation with his son, Timothy Davis Jr., 22, and shot him to death outside the family's Apopka home on Oct. 1, 2011. The defense claimed it was an act of self-defense.
It was a week of emotional testimony, during which time Davis Sr. took the stand in his own defense. Jurors also heard from the wife of Davis Sr., Tasha.
The jury listened to an interview with Davis Sr. conducted by law enforcement after the shooting and watched a surveillance camera recording of Davis Sr. reaching in his car to retrieve a gun, then firing it twice at his son who is off camera.
Davis Sr. on Wednesday told members of the jury that the gun he pointed at his son was not meant to kill him. "I pulled it out, trying to scare him. I told him, 'Leave me alone son! If you don't leave me alone, I am going to get my gun!' My intent was trying to back him down."
Prosecutor Jim Altman argued that Davis Sr. could have stayed in the car. Davis Sr. now avoids what could have been a life sentence in prison, had he been found guilty.
