Rodney Hamilton's Killer Sentenced to Prison Just 15 years in Prison This is Justice?

A man pleaded guilty Thursday to second-degree murder in the slaying of a father who was gunned down in his car on Dec. 9, 2023, outside a west Charlotte bar.

Rodney Hamilton, who was 52, worked security at Reba’s Bar and Grill on Camp Greene Street near Wilkinson Boulevard. He was in his car when he was shot four times, officials said.

Jmar Davis Photo Courtesy MCSO

Jmar Davis, 53, was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in prison as part of the plea deal.

In court, Hamilton’s wife, Adreanne Gilmore, addressed his killer in the Mecklenburg County courtroom.

“I hope you don’t get out in 14, 15 years because you don’t deserve it. You are a monster,” she said.

Rodney Hamilton’s family wished the case went to trial and doesn’t believe the sentence was enough.

“That’s no justice for us. Some closure. But no justice,” said Marilyn Hamilton, family member.

Case Outline:

On: 12/09/2023 at approximately 0200 hrs.CMPD Officers were working in an off-duty capacity at Reba's Bar and Grill located at 2240 Camp Greene St. 

At approximately 0207 hrs, an Officer overheard approximately five gunshots coming from Camp Greene St just in front of Reba's Bar and Grill.

As the Officer exited his patrol vehicle he observed two vehicles in the area of the gunshots and observed which is later determined to be the victim's vehicle (1989 Chevrolet Suburban two-tone color), slowly rolling on Camp Greene St away from Wilkinson while at the same time observed black male subject walk from the victim's vehicle towards the driver's side door of suspect vehicle (2015 Buick Enclave SUV). 

The black male subject entered the driver's door of the vehicle and fled outbound Wilkinson from 'Camp Greene St.

The vehicle flees at high rate of speed and passes through several red lights before wrecking into utility pole at the intersection of Old Steele Creek and Wilkinson Blvd. 

The driver was detained and identified as Mr. Jmar Demontae Davis dob 12/26/1985 The passenger was detained and identified as Mr. Corey L. Davis dob 03/18/1981.

Detectives on scene of the shooting (2240 Camp Greene St)located the victim, dob 11/23/1971, slumped over in the driver's seat of his vehicle suffering from several gunshot wounds was transported by MEDIC to the hospital and was pronounced deceased by hospital staff at 0340 hours.

Detectives spoke to a witness, at the LEC. who stated that at approximately 0205 hrs he was standing in the street outside of Reba's talking to the victim (who was seated in the driver's seat of his vehicle). Witness observed the suspect yell at the victim to move his truck out of the way and watched as he immediately went to the driver's door of his vehicle and retrieved firearm.

Witness stated that the suspect then returned to the victim's vehicle and racked the slide of the firearm back. Witness observed the suspect fire approximately (3) rounds outside the vehicle and reach into the - victim's open passenger window and shoot the victim séveral times. 

Witness watched the suspect return to the suspect vehicle and enter the driver's seat before fleeing the scene being chased by officers.

The driver, Mr. Jmar Davis, was transported to the hospital with head injury as result of the vehicle crash.

Detectives reviewed Officer's BWC video from the incident location. 

Officer's BWC shows the victim's vehicle slowly rolling on Camp Green St and Mr. Jmar Davis standing between the victim vehicle and suspect vehicle. Mr. Davis is observed walking back to the suspect car and entering the driver's seat. 

Officer is heard telling the vehicles to stop, followed by the suspect vehicle fleeing at high rate of speed on Camp Greene St and turning onto outbound Wilkinson Blvd.

Detectives collected (3) discharged cartridge casings inside the victims vehicle and (2) discharged cartridge casings: on the street nearby where the shooting took place.

The suspect, Mr. Davis, was transported to the LEC for an interview after being discharged from the hospital. Mr. Davis admitted to being at the club and overhearing confrontation outside the club, but was unable to remember any of the other events that took place including the shooting and fleeing the scene.

Judge Troy J. Stafford sentenced Davis to 180 months (15 years) in prison with credit for time served. The killer will be eligible for parole in 2038.