The man who was charged with fatally shooting a 22-year-old Warren County native in Blount County, Ala. was convicted by an Alabama jury for murder on Nov. 9. 

Dakota Nunley, 22, was shot and killed in an apparent road-rage incident while he was living in Alabama in Dec. 2020. Nunley was shot in the chest by a small-caliber handgun while traveling along Highway 75 in Remlap. Witnesses identified the shooter as a man in a silver Toyota Forerunner. 

Michael Harris, 62, was brought in for questioning and admitted to the shooting, but reportedly told investigators he acted out of self-defense. Harris allegedly claimed Nunley and another motorist attempted to run him off the road. He claimed all three vehicles stopped on the side of Highway 75 and Harris and Nunley exited their vehicles and Harris shot him in the chest. 

The trial began this past Monday. Prosecutors at the trial presented evidence that Harris fled the scene and never reported the shooting to law enforcement. Prosecutors say he turned off the main highway when he saw police lights and threw his 25 caliber Beretta into the woods to hide it. During court-room testimony, prosecutors got Harris to admit Dakota never pulled a weapon and never threatened Harris in any way.

Nunley’s mother, Tonya Murray, said it took the jury nearly six hours to deliberate. The jury came back out to request to watch a video explaining self-defense which worried Murray as she feared they would find that Harris acted in self-defense. 

“They went in at 10:04 a.m. to start deliberating and at about 4:15 p.m. they came out with a verdict. It was crazy,” said Murray. After deliberating for hours, the jury found Harris guilty of murdering Nunley. Murray is pleased with the finding. 

“It has been a long and hard three years. It has been stressful and worrisome with us worrying about what will happen and Harris getting to be out with his family and us not getting to spend our time with Dakota,” said Murray, referencing the fact that Harris has been out on bail this entire time. 

Harris was taken into custody following the verdict on Thursday. A sentencing date has not been set yet. Murder is a Class A felony and Harris could be sentenced to 20 to 99 years or life in prison. 

After the verdict was announced, District Attorney Pamela L. Casey said, “This was senseless and tragic.  It should have never happened. Dakota was not armed and there was no evidence Dakota ever threatened Mr. Harris.”

Murray will be going back to Alabama to attend the sentencing. She says prayers were answered with this ruling. 

“I am glad it is over. I am glad he is behind bars now. God answered our prayers. We were all there for him,” she said. “It isn’t going to bring Dakota back, but I am glad this part is over and he is behind bars.”