Joe Davidson

On May 17, 2015, police officers in Normandy, Missouri, responded to a reported burglary in progress at an apartment complex located in the 7700 block of Natural Bridge Road. Upon entering the residence, authorities discovered the lifeless body of 68-year-old African American male Joe Davidson, a retired firefighter known affectionately as 'Buddy' by his friends and family. Investigators determined that he had been fatally shot during the intrusion. Witnesses at the scene described hearing gunshots emanating from the living room and reported encountering an armed individual who demanded money and stole jewelry before fleeing the premises.

The ensuing homicide investigation quickly focused on 19-year-old Garret Watts, a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, who had been staying in the area. Law enforcement officials located Watts just days later, on May 21, hiding inside a closet at a nearby home he was known to frequent. Following his apprehension, prosecutors charged him with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, and two counts of armed criminal action. He was subsequently held at the St. Louis County Jail on a $500,000 bond while awaiting trial.

legal proceedings concluded nearly two years later in March 2017. During the trial, prosecutors argued that Watts was the gunman who killed Davidson during the robbery. However, the defense maintained that Watts was not present at the apartment when the shooting occurred, asserting instead that he was exercising at a nearby basketball court at the time of the crime. After deliberating on the evidence presented, a St. Louis County jury returned a verdict of not guilty, acquitting Watts of the murder and armed criminal action charges in connection with Davidson's death.