Convicted of a homicide at one of Vicksburg’s busiest intersections, Jason Davis was told by Circuit Judge Frank Vollor that he faces the state-set sentence of life in prison without parole.

“We are just shocked and disappointed,” said Davis’ attorney, Michael Winfield, who added he probably would file an appeal, but said nothing else.

“We’re happy with the jurors’ decision and we appreciate the hard work that went into this trial,” said District Attorney Ricky Smith. “I think the evidence was clear that Jason Davis did not act in self-defense. I feel for both families; one family lost a son, the other will be away from their son for his whole life, but I think justice was served.”

Davis, 22, 125 Lee Circle, was charged in the Sept. 2, 2007, shooting near the Exxon station at Clay Street and Mission 66 that killed 21-year-old Thaddeus Jeffery, who was struck twice in the back and once in the heel.

Davis, who surrendered to police 12 hours after the shooting, has maintained he acted in self-defense, citing an ongoing feud between the pair as the reason the shooting took place.

Davis also told the court he believes Jeffery had a gun at the time of the shooting, although police said no gun was found. Jeffery was awaiting his own trial for two felonies at the time of his death. He faced charges of possession of a stolen firearm and possession of cocaine.

During closing arguments Winfield told the jury, “It is sad my client has to come before you and defend himself for defending himself,” while Assistant District Attorney Dewey Arthur insisted, “You decide if it’s reasonable to gun a man down in the back.”

All 12 jurors, selected Monday for the two-day trial, had to return a guilty vote for the verdict to be reached.

“Due to the fact the shots were in the victim’s back, we always felt this case was murder,” Arthur said. “We believe the jury reached the correct verdict and we are very thankful for that verdict.”

“They were both young men and I hate to see that, but Mr. Davis made a decision to shoot and kill Thaddeus Jeffery and he has to live with that decision,” Smith added.