APOPKA, Fla. – The former Orlando police officer who was found not guilty last week of shooting and killing his 21-year-old son spoke out on Tuesday, saying he wasn't surprised by the verdict but surprised at people passing judgement on him.
Timothy Davis Sr. was acquitted of second-degree murder in the shooting death of 21-year-old Timothy Davis Jr. during an argument over custody of Davis Jr.'s son on October 1, 2011.
A jury found him not guilty last week, causing an outcry on social media saying he "got away with it."
"I love people. And for me to say I don't care. I would be lying," Davis Sr. told Local 6 when asked if he cared about the public opinion of him.
When Local 6 asked what Davis Sr. would say to the people who see him as a killer, he responded, "Well I'll just say I'll pray for you. That's what I'll say to them."
Davis Sr. testified that his son physically attacked him, leaving him bruised and barely able to walk.
"At the end of the day, what's important, most important, my son knows what happened," he said. "My God knows what happened, and I know what happened."D
Davis said that he will carry the loss of his son forever and the judgement from his critics.
"And you just hope that they are not faced with the same or similar situation," he said. "Because that old saying that until you walk 100 miles in a mans shoes keep your mouth closed."