CAMDEN, ALABAMA - A jury took just 17 minutes to convict a 23-year-old man of killing a convenience store customer and stealing his car. <br>
<br>
Herlan O'Brien Davis showed no reaction Wednesday as the forewoman read the capital murder verdict in Wilcox County Circuit Court. The jury will decide next whether to recommend the death penalty. <br>
<br>
Authorities accused Davis of killing Bruce Cunningham, 39, as he walked into a convenience store on March 9, 2001, to buy bacon for his aunt. <br>
<br>
The defense called only one witness, Alabama Bureau of Investigation agent Dan Watson, who answered two questions regarding the lack of fingerprints on a box of bullets found in the defendant's room. <br>
<br>
Defense attorney Maryanne Melko-Prince argued that Cunningham, a father of four, had attacked Davis, and the gun went off accidentally. <br>
<br>
Davis also is charged with capital murder in Monroe County in the death of a forester killed later that day. That trial is set for May 13. <br>
<br>
Investigators said Davis and his girlfriend, Angela Shantee Anderson, 22, fled Columbus, Ga., after he became a suspect in a killing there. Police in Columbus said weapons charges, probation violations and a murder charge were still pending against Davis. <br>
<br>
Anderson also is charged with capital murder in the Monroe County killing. Her trial has not been set. <br>
<br>
In the sentencing hearing, Melko-Prince questioned two witnesses regarding mental evaluations of Davis. <br>
<br>
Both said Davis had severe personality disorders, and both agreed his childhood played a role in his problems. <br>
<br>
Defense attorneys referred to records from Davis' childhood that documented state investigations of abuse, including one incident in which his alcoholic mother burned the toddler with hot grease.
