Jury convicts Reno man of multiple offenses

Prosecutors to seek maximum sentence.

Reno, Nevada.  April 23, 2015.  After three hours of deliberation, a Washoe County jury convicted Darell Keith Davis, 47, of multiple offenses, consisting of three counts of felony domestic battery, false imprisonment with a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon, and two counts of dissuading a witness from testifying.

On Sept. 25, 2014, shortly after breaking off a two year relationship with Davis, the victim, 35, was lured to a motel room where Davis attacked her, holding her against her will at knife point and threatening to slit her throat. She was able to escape and run to safety. After four days of living in fear, the victim went to Diamonds Casino with a friend only to be found by Davis and again viciously attacked. Casino surveillance captured the attack. The video, (click here to watch) which was presented to the jury, showed Davis hitting the victim in the back of the head, slamming her head into a slot machine, and punching her in the face. It then showed him pull her off a chair onto the ground where he kicked and stomped her body and face. When the victim gets up, Davis then coldcocks her in the head, knocking her unconscious. He fled after the attack.

The prosecution also presented phone calls recorded after Davis’ arrest where he admits to the attack stating “They know I did it to her. Beat the sh*t out of her at Diamonds.” The calls further revealed that he solicited other people to contact the victim and dissuade her from appearing in court to testify against him.  He gives details of the victim’s location, what to say to her, how to manipulate her, and to make sure to get to her before the District Attorney or a victim’s advocate does.

Davis has extensive criminal history including offenses for selling drugs, attempted pandering, burglary, theft and numerous instances of domestic battery.  He has been previously convicted at trial by prosecutors in the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office of multiple counts of dissuading a person from testifying.   Sentencing is currently set for June 8, 2015. Davis faces a maximum sentence of 29 years.

“Davis epitomizes the controlling and violent nature of domestic abuse,” said Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks. “It is fitting that the jury convicted him during National Victims of Crime Week, a week dedicated to empowering victims and ending this type of violence.  My office will be seeking the maximum sentence.” 

Any questions should be addressed to Deputy District Attorney, Erica L. Jones, at the District Attorney’s Office at 328-3239.

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 Darell Keith Davis, 47