ST. LOUIS, MO  (November 13, 2026) — A St. Louis jury found Dwayne Davis, 30, guilty Thursday of second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, two counts of armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with the 2023 shooting death of 47-year-old Jesse Jones in the City's Hamilton Heights neighborhood.

On September 7, 2023, Jones, who owned a towing business, was repossessing a Jeep Grand Cherokee. In an act of kindness, he agreed to give the woman who had been renting the Jeep a ride to a family member. The woman contacted Davis, who then confronted Jones in the 5900 block of Hamilton Terrace. Davis attempted to rob Jones and shot him when he did not immediately exit the Jeep. Jones died at the scene, and Davis fled in the vehicle. Investigators used a GPS device installed in the Jeep to track it to Cahokia, Illinois, the following day. When officers attempted to stop Davis, he fled, eventually crashing the Jeep on the Poplar Street Bridge. Davis threw a firearm from the bridge before officers arrested him. Investigators recovered the firearm and linked it to a cartridge casing found at the shooting scene. Davis later admitted to shooting Jones during a recorded police interview.

“This verdict holds the defendant accountable for ruthlessly murdering Jesse Jones,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. “We hope that this verdict provides Jesse Jones’ family and loved ones some solace and a sense of closure.”

Davis has prior felony convictions, including robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm. He was on parole at the time of the murder. Sentencing is scheduled for January 15, 2027.

Violent Crime Unit Supervisor Adam Field, Assistant Circuit Attorney Allan Kaiser, and Assistant Circuit Attorney Paris Bateman prosecuted the case.

The defendant's case number is 2322-CR02119-01.