BENTONVILLE -- Sally Bryant confronted her sister's killer with words Friday morning.
Bryant spoke on behalf of her family at Perry Davis' plea hearing in Benton County Circuit Court. Davis, Bryant's former brother-in-law, admitted he shot and killed his wife, Kelly, in August 2012.
At A Glance
Memorial Donation
Kelly Davis’ family said in a news release they appreciated the kindness the community had shown them. To help keep her memory alive, the family requests donations be made to Samaritan House and people “live a life of kindness and giving to others in whatever ways you can.”
Source: Staff Report
Davis, 50, of Bentonville pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and kidnapping. He originally was charged with capital murder, but he agreed to a plea deal Madison Aydelott and Scott McElveen, his attorneys, reached with Stuart Cearley and Nathan Smith, deputy prosecutors.
Davis' jury trial was to begin April 15.
"Perry, you should be more aware than most people of how much damage you have caused to our family," Bryant said. "You were once blessed to have been part of the love and caring that is at our core. And you had the amazing privilege of once being loved by Kelly and to have been part of her life."
Police were called to the couple's home at 804 S.W. Ouachita Drive in Bentonville at 5:21 p.m. Aug. 19, 2012, in connection with a domestic disturbance.
Kelly Davis' body was found in the home after police entered almost five hours after her 911 call. Police entered after Perry Davis called 911, claiming he had been shot and needed assistance. Police believe Davis shot himself after shooting his wife. He has a pre-frontal lobe injury and is now blind and suffers from retrograde amnesia because of the self-inflicted wound.
Cearley told the judge Davis shot his wife twice.
"For reasons known only to you, you made a decision to steal the life of someone that you had vowed to love and protect," Bryant said. "Kelly's life would have been filled with so many moments of joy and so many blessings. And Kelly would have brought joy and blessings to many others."
Bryant wiped away tears with a white tissue as she spoke.
Many of Kelly Davis' family filled seating on one side of the courtroom. Several Bentonville police officers also were present in the courtroom.
"But rather than hate you and continue to focus on what you did, we will choose to celebrate Kelly's life and continue to be a loving and caring family who will bring joy and comfort to so many others," Bryant said. "We will also pray for you and ask God to work in your heart to heal you."
Bryant also read a statement on behalf of her mother.
"I have chosen to forgive you, not for you but for me, because if I don't forgive, that means you have control over my life," Bryant read from her mother's letter. "And after today I will refuse to ever think about you but will instead concentrate on all the good that Kelly was and how funny she was and how much I loved her."
Davis didn't show any emotion or reaction to the statements.
Judge Brad Karren accepted the plea agreement and Davis' guilty pleas.
Davis was sentenced to 35 years each for murder and kidnapping. The sentences will run concurrently. Davis will have to serve 70 percent of the sentence before he's eligible for parole. Davis can't have any contact with Kelly Davis' family.
"I think it speaks for itself," Bentonville Police Chief Jon Simpson said after the hearing. "As a department, our hearts go out to the family. This is a good resolution."
Kelly Davis' family issued a news release thanking prosecutors and Kim Coble, victim assistance coordinator for the prosecutor's office.
"The finality of the agreement will give us the opportunity to heal and to move forward with fully celebrating Kelly's life and the wonderful, funny, smart, loving and kind person that she was," the release stated.
NW News on 04/05/2014