Accused Killer Now Blind

Self-Inflicted Wound Caused Loss Of Sight, Memory For Davis

— A Bentonville man suspected of killing his wife and then shooting himself is now blind and suffers from retrograde amnesia, according to court documents.

At A Glance

The Charges

Bentonville police have an arrest warrant for Perry Dennis Davis Jr., 49, in connection with capital murder and kidnapping. The murder charge is punishable with life imprisonment or the death penalty. Davis could be sentenced from 10 to 40 years or life imprisonment if convicted of kidnapping.

Source: Staff Report

Perry Dennis Davis Jr., 49, has not been arrested in connection with the shooting death of his 44-year-old wife, Kelly.

Davis is being treated for injuries related to a self-inflicted head wound. He is being treated at Northwest Medical Center-Springdale.

Information on Davis’ medical condition was included in court documents concerning Fayetteville attorney Steven Kay being appointed as temporary counselor for Davis and his estate. Dr. Mark Thomas signed an affidavit describing Davis’ medical condition.

Circuit Judge Mark Fryauf held a hearing Wednesday morning on the guardianship issue.

Police believe Davis shot himself after shooting and killing his wife. Police were called to the couple’s home at 804 S.W. Ouachita Drive in Bentonville at 5:21 p.m. Aug. 19 in connection with a domestic disturbance.

Kelly Davis’ body was found in the home after police entered almost five hours after her initial 911 call. Police entered the home after Perry Davis called 911, claiming he’d been shot and needed assistance.

Perry Davis was first taken to Northwest Medical Center-Bentonville then to Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville. He later was transferred to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Medical Center in Little Rock and then transferred to Springdale.

Davis has a prefrontal lobe injury from the gunshot wound. Injuries to the brain’s frontal lobe can lead to problems with judgment, according to Thomas’ affidavit.

The affidavit states Davis is now blind and unable to care for himself and feed himself. Thomas’ affidavit also states Davis suffers from retrograde amnesia.

Davis requires assistance to make financial decisions and will need care at a facility specializing in traumatic brain injury rehabilitation, according to the affidavit.

Kay told Fryauf he has been in contact with Davis’ daughter and Davis’ former wife. The daughter would like to be kept informed about her father, but she’s unable to come from Louisiana and obtain guardianship of him, Kay said. Kay told the court he wanted to make sure Davis’ insurance is paid and also seeks short-term and long-term disability for Davis. Fryauf appointed Kay as Davis’ guardian. Kay has obtained Ray Niblock to represent Davis in the criminal case.

Van Stone, Benton County prosecutor, and JC Wiseman, lead investigator on the case for Bentonville police, attended Wednesday’s hearing.

Stone told Fryauf his office was interested in gathering information and wants a doctor to give Davis an independent examination. Police aren’t releasing the 911 calls in connection with the incident. Prosecutors also have a court order sealing the warrants in the case.

Stone isn’t sure when Davis will be arrested.

“We will make that call after we gather all the medical evidence,” he said.

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