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Crips gang member convicted of January 2016 murder, DA's office says

Ricky Allen Davis, Jr., 32, was convicted of first degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm Wednesday for the January 2016 murder.

A Crips gang member who turned himself in for murdering a man in East Knoxville over a drug debt has been convicted of first degree murder.

Ricky Allen Davis, Jr., 32, was convicted of first degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm Wednesday for the January 2016 murder.

Assistant District Attorneys Hector Sanchez and Leslie Nassios explained to the jury that on Jan. 4, 2016, Davis texted the victim, John Kyle, to find out where he was. Davis found Kyle in front of a house on Wilson Avenue and after a short talk, he shot at Kyle five times, hitting him in the stomach, leg, and hand.

Kyle later died at the hospital.

According to the district attorney general's office, Judge Bob McGee imposed the mandatory life sentence for the murder conviction and set the case on March 29 for sentencing on the weapon charge.

Davis has prior convictions for aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a weapon, according to the DA's office.

Prosecutors said they will seek to enhance the sentence based on Davis' membership in the Crips street gang and his previous convictions.

The district attorney's office also said that while deputies were escorting Davis into a holding cell following the announcement of the jury’s verdict, Davis flashed Crips gang signs in court.

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