Birmingham, Alabama, September 16, 2025
News Summary
A Jefferson County jury has sentenced Daniel ‘Parker’ Watson to death for the capital murder of Tiffany Michele Hernandez and Jason Joseph Brown. The jury reached this decision swiftly, demonstrating strong conviction within an hour. Watson’s defense argued his actions occurred during a heat of passion under drug influence, but the prosecution established clear premeditated intent, leading to a verdict that brought a sense of justice to the victims’ families.
Birmingham, Alabama – A Jefferson County jury has sentenced 31-year-old Daniel “Parker” Watson to death following his conviction for the capital murder of Tiffany Michele Hernandez and Jason Joseph Brown, both 40 years old, in a tragic double homicide that took place in March 2023. The jury’s decision was reached in just under an hour, with an 11-1 vote favoring the death penalty.
The events leading to this conviction stem from a shooting incident that occurred on March 13, 2023, inside Watson’s grandmother’s home in South East Lake, Birmingham. Prosecutors argued that Watson’s actions were premeditated, asserting that he shot both victims with the intent to kill.
In addition to the charges in Birmingham, Watson faces separate charges related to another double shooting incident in St. Clair County. This incident, which took place shortly after the Birmingham murders, resulted in the deaths of Amber Manning, 37, and Timothy Davidson, 62. Thus, he is presently contending with multiple murder charges.
The trial commenced approximately six days prior to the sentencing, with Circuit Judge Shanta Owens presiding. Assistant District Attorneys Joe Roberts and Neal Zarzour handled the prosecution, while Watson received defense from attorneys Jeffrey Dummier, Louvenia Borom, and Michael Dillard.
The prosecution presented evidence suggesting that Watson killed the victims without justification. They claimed that the nature of the crime – specifically the method of execution, which involved shooting Brown in the face and Hernandez in the back of the head – demonstrated a clear and deliberate intent to end both of their lives.
The defense acknowledged that Watson did commit the killings but argued it was a heat of passion crime, claiming he was under the influence of drugs and believed the victims had molested his daughters. However, authorities found no evidence to support Watson’s allegations against Hernandez and Brown. The investigation began when deputies in St. Clair County responded to a call regarding a disturbance at a Ragland property, where they discovered Manning deceased and Davidson gravely injured. Unfortunately, Davidson passed away shortly after being transported to a hospital.
Watson quickly became a suspect, leading to a lookout bulletin being issued for him. During a confrontation with a now-retired Leeds police Sgt. Scott Nelson, Watson confessed that he needed to report what he had done in Birmingham, explicitly admitting to killing the two victims as an act of revenge.
Throughout the trial, Watson’s attorneys presented his troubled childhood and struggles with substance abuse as mitigating factors, contending that his state of mind warranted a reduced culpability for the crimes. However, the prosecution maintained that these struggles did not absolve him of responsibility for his actions, especially in light of the calculated nature of the murders.
Following the announcement of the verdict, families of the victims expressed their sense of relief and satisfaction, believing that justice had finally been served in a case marked by senseless violence.
Key Aspects of the Case
- Victims: Tiffany Michele Hernandez and Jason Joseph Brown
- Defendant: Daniel “Parker” Watson, 31
- Date of Crimes: March 13, 2023
- Location: South East Lake, Birmingham
- Jury Decision: Death penalty, 11-1 vote
- Additional Charges: Related double shootings in St. Clair County
FAQ Section
What were the charges against Daniel Watson?
Daniel Watson was charged with capital murder for the deaths of Tiffany Michele Hernandez and Jason Joseph Brown, as well as other charges related to a double shooting in St. Clair County.
What was the jury’s decision?
The jury found Watson guilty and voted 11-1 in favor of sentencing him to death.
What was the defense’s argument?
The defense argued that Watson acted in a heat of passion due to drug influence and belief that the victims had molested his daughters, although no evidence was found to support this claim.
What impact did the trial have on the victims’ families?
The families of the victims expressed satisfaction with the verdict, feeling that justice had been served after a long and tragic ordeal.
Key Features Summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Daniel “Parker” Watson |
| Verdict | Guilty of capital murder |
| Jury Vote | 11-1 for death penalty |
| Victims | Tiffany Michele Hernandez, Jason Joseph Brown |
| Other Charges | Capital murder related to St. Clair County double shooting |
| Defense Argument | Heat of passion and drug influence |
| Duration of Trial | 6 days |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- WBRC: Jury Sentences Man to Death in Double Murder Case
- Wikipedia: Capital Punishment in the United States
- AL.com: Man Convicted of Two Murders Receives Death Sentence
- Google Search: Double Murder Trials
- ABC3340: Birmingham Police Nab Suspect in Double Murder
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Murder
- CBS42: Arrest Made in Birmingham Double Homicide
- Google News: Birmingham Double Homicide
- WVTM13: Homicide Investigation in Birmingham Inglenook
- Google Scholar: Double Homicide Case Law
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
