In a significant development in a murder case involving a teenager from Huntsville, a jury reached a verdict on Wednesday, as reported by WAFF48. The defendant, Robtavious Hawk, had previously been found guilty of fatally shooting JaMichael Harris in 2022. On the morning of the verdict, both the defense and prosecution delivered their closing arguments, setting the stage for the jury’s decision.
Hawk’s attorney argued that his client acted in self-defense during the incident. However, the prosecution countered this claim, asserting that the evidence did not corroborate Hawk’s narrative. The tragic event unfolded while JaMichael Harris was seated in a vehicle, accompanied by another teenager and his older brother, when he was shot and killed.
During the trial, Hawk took the stand on Tuesday, recounting the moments leading up to the shooting. He testified that Harris nearly hit him with his car, prompting him and his brother to point a rifle at Harris. Hawk further claimed that after this confrontation, Harris’ brother began firing at him from the passenger seat. Additionally, he alleged that the teenagers attempted to steal his necklace during the altercation.
The prosecution’s case was bolstered by testimony from Harris’ older brother, Jamari Battle, who stated that Robtavious Hawk was indeed the individual who shot and killed Harris on February 13, 2022. Investigators from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation provided crucial evidence, revealing that two different types of 9mm bullets were recovered from the scene and offering insights into the trajectory of the bullets. Hawk’s defense team maintained that he was simply defending himself against what he described as an armed robbery attempt.