TYLER, Texas — Editor's Note: The above video aired in February 2024.
A Tyler man who was facing up to 99 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit is now a free man.
Daryl Lynn Davis, 60, was previously facing a trial for a tampering with evidence charge in connection with a February 2019 traffic stop. He was accused of destroying evidence by ingesting cocaine.
But on Monday, he pleaded no contest to a lesser charge of interfering with public duties (a Class B misdemeanor). He was sentenced to 60 days in the Smith County Jail, but he received credit for his 75 days previously served.
"I feel like I have gotten a big victory from a situation that I was facing life in prison for due to a 2019 traffic stop, where I was allegedly to have eaten crack cocaine, which I never had. Today, we put to bed the case," Davis said. "I think that that is a tremendous downsize from a guy facing a life sentence."
Davis and his defense said his indictment was amended to reflect what actually happened, which was that Davis took two steps away from the officer while police searched the vehicle. This made the offense into the interfering with public duties charge.
Now, he feels like he can resume his life after five years of this charge and potential sentence looming over his head. He thanked his legal team for all their hard work as well as news media who told his story, including CBS19 and Tyler Morning Telegraph. He also showed gratitude to people who spoke kindly on his behalf like Tyler District 3 City Councilwoman Dr. Shirley McKellar.
Because of his criminal past as a young adult, prosecutors were previously seeking to punish Davis to the fullest extent through a potential 99-year prison sentence.
In his younger days, Davis turned to a life of crime for excitement after abandoning his faith in God. But after more than 18 years in prison, he found personal growth and redemption. Upon reentry to the community, Davis made it his mission to educate himself and others on the criminal justice system, advocate for change, and support the community.
Davis was stopped by police on Confederate Ave. in Tyler late on the night of Feb. 7, 2019. Splitting his time between his two jobs, college classes and regular check-ins, and urine analysis with his parole officer, he thought he had no reason to worry.
He agreeably provided his driver's license and consented to Tyler police officers searching his car. Once out of his vehicle, an officer said Davis “put something in his mouth,” according to an arrest warrant affidavit. The officer said he “grabbed (Davis), and attempted to stop him from further destroying evidence,” the affidavit stated. The officer then “observed white residue on (Davis') tongue.”
Officers took Davis to a nearby medical facility, but there were no tests to check for cocaine. Davis said he insisted on the tests. A medical report showed he was alert, well-oriented, and responsive, with equal round, reactive pupils and average pulse rates. Law enforcement had denied requests for body and dash camera footage of the incident.
After Monday's court appearance, he said he feels like a great weight is rising off of him.
"People could never begin to imagine walking around carrying a burden of having a life sentence hanging over their head, not knowing if today will be the last day in society or not," Davis said.
Through this legal battle, Davis said it was his faith that helped him persevere.
"The Word of God said faith is a substance of things hoped for, but the evidence of things not seen. I believe that I serve God that will allow you to overcome whatever that is if it's in His will.," Davis said.
Davis continues to submit to drug testing and meet with a parole officer regularly for an unrelated case.
CBS19 reached out again to the Smith County District Attorney's Office for body camera footage now that the case is settled.