Wrongful death lawsuit filed against man accused of killing wife

Thursday, February 7, 2013

A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against a Bentonville man accused of killing his wife.

Perry Dennis Davis Jr., 50, is charged with capital murder and kidnapping. Davis is accused of killing his 44-year-old wife, Kelly. Police believe Davis shot himself after shooting 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.

Fayetteville attorneys Shawn Daniels and Chad Atwell filed the suit Thursday in Benton County Circuit Court against Davis on behalf of Wendy Cravens, who is Kelly Davis’ sister and the administrator of her estate.

The suit also includes John Does listed as defendants.

The complaint contends that Perry Davis physically assaulted and battered his wife before using a 9 mm handgun to shoot and kill her. The suit is seeking damages for Kelly Davis’ pain and suffering, loss of life, medical expenses, funeral expenses, loss to her survivors and the loss of companionship and grief of her surviving beneficiaries.

The suit is seeking unspecified punitive damages.

The lawsuit is assigned to Circuit Judge John Scott.

Perry Davis was hospitalized for several weeks because of the gunshot to his head. Court documents state he has a prefrontal lobe injury from the wound, is now blind and has retrograde amnesia.

His criminal case is assigned to Circuit Judge Brad Karren.

Perry Davis previously pleaded not guilty to the charges.

He is being held without bond in the Benton County Jail.