An Oklahoma City jury convicted Kenneth Davis, 66, of first-degree murder for killing his roommate and recommended he spend the rest of his life in prison.

Davis was found guilty Sept. 4 in the shooting death of Merle Southwick, 71, at a home near SE 66th Street and S. Shields Boulevard in southeast Oklahoma City, according to the Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office. The jury recommended a sentence of life without the possibility of parole.

District Attorney Vicki Zemp Behenna announced the conviction Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Stanley Southwick discovered his brother's body on Aug. 4, 2024, Oklahoma City Free Press reported. Stanley had gone to the home to pick up Merle for church on a Sunday morning. When no one answered the door or phone, Stanley crawled through a window and found his brother dead inside.

Merle Southwick had been shot multiple times. One wound to the back of the head was described as "execution style," according to Free Press.

Oklahoma City police investigators named Davis, Southwick's roommate, as the primary suspect. Detectives found that Southwick's car title had been transferred to Davis' name and that Davis had sold Southwick's motorcycle before the body was discovered.

Davis left Oklahoma before police could locate him. U.S. Marshals later apprehended him in Colorado. He was transported back to Oklahoma City and booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center on Nov. 14, 2024.

The trial was originally set for October 2025 but faced repeated delays. State prosecutors requested more time to contact witnesses. Confusion arose over the assigned prosecuting attorney. The medical examiner was out of the country in March 2026.

Davis' defense attorneys filed motions for review and mistrial at each delay, citing his right to a speedy trial.

Each motion was denied.

The four-day trial began Aug. 31 with Davis pleading not guilty. The jury heard closing arguments Sept. 4, deliberated briefly and returned a guilty verdict the same day.

In a statement, the district attorney's office thanked the jury, the investigating officers and the prosecutors who prepared the case for trial.

Davis faces formal sentencing Oct. 13 before Judge Lydia Green in Oklahoma County District Court.