FAYETTEVILLE — Five people pleaded not guilty in Washington County Circuit Court Friday to charges related to a homicide in Fayetteville in August, when police say a 24-year-old woman was held captive for hours and beaten to death by her husband and four friends.
Rebecca Lloyd, 36, John Christopher Davis, 27, and Mark Edward Chumley, 45, all of 433 S. Hill Ave., and Christopher Lee Treat and Desire Treat, both 29, of 315 S. Block St., Apt. 15, are all charged with accomplice to capital murder.
The five are charged in the Aug. 19 killing of Victoria Annabeth Davis, 24, of 433 S. Hill Ave. Police have said Davis was held captive for hours and beaten by her husband, John Christopher Davis, and the other four defendants who police identified as friends.
Police said Davis’ death was “extremely violent.” Several weapons were used in the beating, they said.
All five were given Dec. 15 trial dates. Accomplice to capital murder is punishable by either life in prison without parole or the death penalty. Prosecuting Attorney Matt Durrett said he has not decided whether to seek the death penalty in the case.