Plainfield Teen's Bond Lowered In Parents' Shooting Deaths

MOUNT PLEASANT, MI — A Plainfield teen apprehended after a manhunt at Central Michigan University appeared in court via video from a Michigan hospital room to be formally charged in his parents' murders. James Eric Davis Jr. 19, was hospitalized after being taken into custody early Saturday in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Michigan authorities say the sophomore used his father's gun to kill both of his parents, suburban police officer James Eric Davis Sr. and real estate broker Diva Jeneen Davis, in a dorm room Friday on the CMU campus. The shootings came hours after CMU police took Davis to a local hospital after he exhibited bizarre behavior and told officers he believed someone was going to harm him, CMU Police Chief Bill Yeagley said. Police on Saturday said they believed drugs may have played a role in Davis Jr's behavior.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the family said visitation for James Eric Davis Sr. and Diva Davis is slated for 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Johnson Funeral Home, 5838 W. Division St. in Chicago, the Tribune reported. On Saturday, a wake is slated for 10 to 11 a.m., followed by homegoing services at Broadview Missionary Baptist Church, 2100 S. 25th Ave. in Broadview. The spokesman said the family is asking for privacy as they work on a public statement in the wake of the couple's death.

James Eric Davis Sr. was a part-time police officer in suburban Bellwood and an Illinois National Guard recruiter who served several tours of duty overseas. According to her Facebook page, Diva Davis was a real estate broker and breast cancer survivor who previously worked as a flight attendant. Andre F. Harvey, the mayor of Bellwood, where James Davis Sr. also grew up, said the couple has two other children, a younger daughter and an older son.

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Davis is being held in Isabella County, Michigan, where his bail was initially set at $3 million based on a warrant prior to his apprehension.

An Isabella County prosecutor asked a judge to keep Davis' bond at $3 million, saying the teen is a flight risk since he resides out of state in Illinois. Isabella County Judge Paul Chamberlain instead set the amount at $1.25 million during Davis' video arraignment Tuesday afternoon, according to The Detroit News.

Davis was charged with two counts of murder and one count of felony possession of a firearm. Chamberlain told Davis the maximum punishment for each count of murder is life in prison if convicted, asking to the teen if he understood, to which he replied, "Yes."

During the hearing, Davis spoke to the judge from a hospital bed, answering yes several times when asked if he understood the proceedings and the charges against him. The 19-year-old answered no when asked if he could afford an attorney. When asked if he would like to continue to be represented by his court-appointed attorney, he again said no, but appeared confused and changed his answer when asked if he would like to continue without representation, first saying no, then yes.

Chamberlain said he would continue the arraignment with Davis' court-appointed attorney but give the two time to consult afterwards.

Davis was apprehended after a more than 12-hour manhunt after he was spotted from a train on the north end of the CMU campus. The witness notified authorities after seeing someone standing near the tracks just after midnight Saturday.

A day after the shooting, CMU President George E. Ross responded, calling the killings "a traumatic incident" and extending his sympathy to the Davis family. He continued:

Whether you sheltered in place and supported those around you, worked in our command center, or played a role in caring for, guiding and comforting others, I thank you.

As students, faculty and staff members, parents, area residents, community and business leaders, alumni around the world, and sometimes, as friends we've yet to meet, you have prayed for and supported us. Thank you.

If you were among the more than 100 law enforcement personnel who joined the CMU Police Department and our other local law enforcement partners to keep our community safe, you became part of our family yesterday. And for that, all of us extend our lasting gratitude.

Photo: A Michigan police official walks on the train tracks as police continue to search for a suspect near Central Michigan University on March 2, 2018 in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. (Photo by Rachel Woolf/Getty Images News/Getty Images)