By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Closing arguments to be heard in murder
Placeholder Image

The trial of accused murderer Mazzetti Alexander will conclude today with closing arguments to be presented from both the defense and prosecution.

Emotions were high Tuesday as family members for the accused and the victim Tiffany Davis packed the courtroom. Several times Judge John Ott had to calm the family members and even had to threaten jail to those who would not be quiet.

Many of the family members' outbursts came after witnesses' statements in court conflicted with what they had previously told investigators shortly after the murder.

Parts of the testimony given by Alexander's ex-girlfriend and the victim's friend Nia Furman, her brother Darrius Foreman and her mother Karen Foreman clashed with previous statements.

Furman and Darrius Foreman both witnessed the murder while Karen Foreman was inside the residence during the crime. The inconsistencies mainly concerned what exactly Alexander said before the shooting. Previous to the crime, Alexander had spent several hours at the Foreman residence with Darrius and Karen Foreman. During that time, Alexander and both Foremans spoke several times on the phone with Furman.

Darrius and Karen Foreman both testified that while on the phone with Furman, Davis  could be heard in the background cussing. The phone calls concerned a variety of topics ranging from where Alexander and Furman's 9-month-old baby was and whether the pair was going to have a relationship again, Furman said in court.

After several calls, Furman agreed to come over to the house, but only for a moment, Darrius Foreman said Tuesday. He then told his mother what was happening while she was in her bedroom. Furman reportedly called back and told Alexander she planned on staying once she arrived. In court, Darrius Foreman said Alexander reportedly told him to relay the message to his mother, which he did. Karen Foreman also testified that was the case.

Both accounts reportedly contradicted the previous statements given to investigators which indicated Alexander specifically said the person who brought Furman to the house would not be leaving. The witnesses insisted Alexander's comments were not perceived as a threat.

Once Furman and Davis arrived, the victim reportedly left her car and yelled, "Do we have a problem?" at Alexander as she advanced on him with her hands behind her back in her pockets. He responded they did have a problem, and she asked if the problem was with her or if it was about his son.

"I was just scared," Alexander said. "I just didn't want to provoke her. I didn't want her to draw down on me."

While they were inches apart, she reportedly pointed her left finger in his chest. Alexander responded that the problem was about his son and he wanted to know where he was. Davis then reportedly moved her right hand in way which Alexander perceived as a threat, so he shot her in the chest through the left breast.

The defense said the shooting was in self defense, as Alexander reportedly believed Davis was about to pull a gun on him.

"I closed my eyes and I fired out of fear," said Alexander.

After the shooting, witnesses said Alexander pointed the gun at Davis as she lay on the ground and then at Furman as she knelt over the victim. Furman said she did not feel threatened during the exchange but she did yell for him not to shoot Davis again.

Alexander then reportedly dropped the gun and fled the scene.

"If I had known what she had in her hand, I would not have reacted in the way I did," Alexander said.

He was later picked up by a Newton County Sheriff's deputy in the subdivision.

In court, Alexander said he thought he had seen Davis reach under the seat of her car before she approached him, which further led him to believe she was armed. In the interviews directly after the crime, Alexander did not mention this. He said in court he forgot to tell the investigators because he was scared and confused during the interview.