Opp man found guilty of 2019 murder

COVINGTON COUNTY, Ala (WDHN) — On the afternoon of Wednesday, May 17, a Covington County Jury convicted Anthony James “AJ” Siler, Jr. of murder and abuse of a corpse.

Siler Jr., 50, was on trial for shooting Michael Devone Davis, 44, of Opp, to death in July 2019.

According to the District Attorney’s Office for the 22nd Judicial Circuit, evidence that came to light during the trial revealed that on the night of July 15, 2019, Siler and Davis had multiple intense interactions with one another in and around Childre Trailer Park in Opp, and at the Hardin Street Complex.

A press release from the DA’s office states two witnesses saw Siler driving towards the trailer park later that night when he swerved towards Davis as he walked down the road, got out of the car, and after a short confrontation, shot Davis at point blank range with a shotgun.

While on the stand, the witnesses claimed Siler told one of them to load Davis’ body in the car and threatened to kill both of them and one of their families.

Once the body was in the car, Siler drove down Highway 331, towards Florala to New Hope Church Road, where he dumped Davis’ body in a swampy area, according to the DA’s office.

Siler was arrested the following morning in the Fleeta community.

Andalusia Police Department Captain Brett Holmes, formerly an Investigator with the District Attorney’s Office, took the stand and testified that he and Chief Nickey Carnley, also an Investigator with the District Attorney’s Office, conducted interviews with Siler after his arrest, during which Siler admitted he killed Davis, but says he acted in self-defense.

Micheal Davis- Courtesy of the District Attorney’s Office in the 22nd Judicial Circuit

Siler took the stand in his own defense, claiming Davis came at him with a stick and a knife but dropped them once he saw the shotgun. Siler said that he shot Davis even after the knife and stick were dropped. The jury, comprised of four men and eight women, deliberated for nearly an hour before returning its guilty verdict.

Assistant District Attorney Nikki Stephens and District Attorney Walt Merrell prosecuted the case and Circuit Judge Charles “Lex” Short presided over the trial.

A sentencing hearing has been set for June 28, 2023. Due to Siler’s past felony convictions, he faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for the Murder charge. He also faces 15 years to life for Abuse of a Corpse. Siler remains in the Covington County Jail pending sentencing.