Whitfield Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder in 2013 Strangulation

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Joshua Allen Whitfield, 26, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of First-Degree Murder. Whitfield now faces a mandatory Life sentence in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before the Honorable Marianne Aho the week of Oct. 8, 2018.

In May of 2013, Whitfield and the victim, Kim Davis, went to an abandoned detached garage on W. 7th St. While there, Whitfield proceeded to strangle Davis until she died. Whitfield then took Davis’ purse and cellphone while leaving her body in the garage. An anonymous tip led law enforcement to the location of her purse, where witnesses said Whitfield was trying to sell the cellphone. Whitfield later admitted to multiple witnesses that he strangled Davis. A thorough investigation included DNA testing that confirmed Whitfield’s DNA was on the victim’s body. He was arrested in August 2013.

The case was investigated by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Ashley Nicole Young and Trey Atkinson.