The husband accused of murdering his wife in Jacksonville over the weekend had his first court appearance on Monday.
It was an emotional scene inside the Onslow County Courthouse as the judge announced that 48-year-old Michael Ray Davis will be held without bond for the alleged murder of his wife, Stacy Lee Davis.
Both of their families were in court today, sitting together in the front row. They declined to speak on camera but say they are remaining unified at this time.
Davis has a prior felony conviction for involuntary manslaughter in Onslow County dating back to 1997, which legally prohibits him from possessing a firearm. It was a case tried by District Attorney Ernie Lee.
He is now charged with murder and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Their neighbor, Greg Payne, requested not to be shown on camera but says the news came as a shock.
“Michael was a good guy. He cut my grass when I didn’t have time to. I didn’t expect anything like that from him.”
According to Jacksonville Police, the couple was leaving a friend’s house on Williamsburg Parkway when they got into an argument just before the shooting.
Police Chief Jarad Phelps says alcohol played a role Saturday night.
“There was alcohol involved. Therefore, we were not able to speak to him coherently that night.”
Chief Phelps would not disclose whether their relationship had a history of abuse. However, their neighbor across the street, Patricia Jepson, vividly remembers an incident last year.
One time I heard them fighting so bad. They had the garage door open, and she was yelling, ‘Help me! Help me!’ But that was mainly the only thing I’ve ever heard.
Several neighbors say the couple mostly kept to themselves. The victim’s family says they were together for roughly a decade and share a son.
Stacy also had an older son from a previous relationship who was visibly distraught in court. Both family members and neighbors say they did not see this coming.
Jepson says the situation has motivated her to speak up against domestic violence.
“I think about other couples and stuff you see going on, and maybe you should say something. Maybe you should try to help them.”
Chief Phelps described this as a domestic incident that is seen far too often here in Jacksonville. He warns those in similar situations to seek help before it’s too late.