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Background: News footage of Brandon Davis as his murder trial began (WCPO). Inset: Asiah Slone (Middletown Division of Police).
An Ohio man who murdered a woman he claimed to consider a “sister” was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty by a jury.
According to prosecutors, Brandon Davis, 46, organized the execution of Asiah Slone, 35, who had been in a relationship with Davis’ father that ended tumultuously. In June 2024, Slone was reported missing by her brother. Weeks later, on July 1, 2024, Slone’s decomposing remains were found by her best friend in a garbage can in Middletown, Ohio.
Two suspects were arrested in connection to her murder — Davis and Perry Hart, 59, who prosecutors said was directed by Davis to finish the job he started by shooting Slone in the head while she slept.
During the trial, prosecutors said that on June 7, 2024, Davis shot Slone in the head while she was sleeping in bed, but didn’t succeed in killing her. While Slone reportedly suffered from the first gunshot wound, Davis told Hart to “take her downstairs and shut her up.” Hart did as he was told and dragged Slone down to the basement in her home and fired a second, fatal shot into her head.
Prosecutors said that Davis asked Hart while holding a gun to his head, “Are you with me or are you against me?”
Hart previously pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and kidnapping and served as a key witness against Davis. As part of his plea agreement, he had four felony counts of aggravated murder, murder, and illegal weapons possession dropped. DNA evidence from the murder weapon connected him to Slone’s death.
During her testimony, Slone’s best friend Casey Kilgore, who found her remains in the trash can, called Davis a “monster.”
After the trial concluded, Davis was found guilty of aggravated murder, murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, and illegal firearms possession by a jury who deliberated for less than five hours.
Davis maintained his innocence, telling the judge in court, “I had nothing to do with the murder of Asiah Slone. She truly was my sister.” His attorney stated that Davis planned to appeal his conviction. He was sentenced by a judge to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 44 1/2 years plus 10 years for being a violent repeat offender and another 4 1/2 years for the gun charges.
Hart’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 31.
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