Delon Davis

Jury selection will commence today in the trial of a Minot man accused of the murder of a man whose body was found in the basement of a Minot business last year.

Delon Evan Davis, 46, Minot, faces counts of Class AA felony murder, Class C felony tampering with physical evidence and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and Class A misdemeanor providing false information to law enforcement.

Davis was charged in July 2024 after the body of Mark McMillan, 36, Minot, was located wrapped in a plastic air mattress in the basement of the building Davis worked in. McMillan was reported missing in April 2024 after falling out of contact with family members, but his body wasn’t found until investigators reviewed his social media communications and followed up on a number of tips from his associates, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

Davis was identified as a suspect in McMillan’s murder after he was identified in interviews, and communications between the two men revealed an alleged active feud between them over stolen property and narcotics.

Court records indicate an autopsy determined McMillan’s cause of death was two gunshot wounds to the torso. When interviewed, Davis initially claimed he shot McMillan in self defense after McMillan and an associate pulled guns on him.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Davis said he disposed of the firearm used in the shooting at a nearby gas station and concealed McMillan’s body after he was threatened by another individual who was waiting for him at the scene.

Court documents indicate investigators interviewed a witness who was present but fled the scene. Investigators also received testimony from an individual whom Davis called to assist him with retrieving the firearm and who also saw McMillan’s body in the laundry room in the basement of the building.

Davis has been in custody at the Ward County Jail on a $2 million bond. Opening arguments will follow jury selection either this afternoon or on Monday.