Miss. appeals court hears arguments in ex-mayor’s conviction
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Attorney Steve Farese told the Mississippi Court of Appeals that former Southaven Mayor Greg Davis’ 2014 conviction for defrauding the city should be thrown out because of the perception he did not receive a fair trial.
The Commercial Appeal reports a three-judge panel heard nearly an hour’s worth of arguments Wednesday from Farese and Barbara Byrd, representing the state. Justices said after arguments they would make a decision soon.
The appeal stems from Davis’s 2014 DeSoto County conviction in an embezzlement case that dragged on for nearly two years. Davis was sentenced to 15 years but would serve only 2 1/2 years. He is free pending appeal.
The state charged Davis defrauded city when he bought a city-leased SUV and purchased the vehicle before the city had the option to buy it.
