Ricky Dewayne Davis Jr., accused of killing one and injuring two others in a 2018 Poplar Bluff shooting, preempted his trial Wednesday by pleading guilty to one count of second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and three counts of armed criminal action.
Butler County Prosecutor Kacey Proctor said he was surprised at the plea.
“I expected a trial. I did not expect him to plea,” Proctor said.
Davis was ordered to serve 30 years on each of the five counts, to run concurrently.
The charges against Davis stemmed from an incident, which happened around 11:30 p.m. Feb. 8, 2018, at 1112 Franklin St.
Earlier reports said Davis had been staying at that time with his cousin, Janice Thomas, at her residence.
“I anticipate the evidence at trial would have been that there was an argument between the defendant and Janice Thomas that ensued, and the defendant was told to leave the house,” Proctor said.
A short time later, Davis was allowed to reenter the house.
“Upon doing so, there was another confrontation, which took place in the living room,” Proctor said. “At that point, the evidence would have been that the defendant brandished a firearm and subsequent to that, another person in the house got knives from the drawer in the kitchen.”
At that point, Proctor said, “Ladaijah Thomas, Oshay Thomas and other witnesses in the house went into the bedroom and called 911.”
The defendant then “forced his way into the bedroom and began shooting.”
Injured were Ladaijha Thomas and Oshay Thomas.
“At some point, he shot Janice Thomas as well in another bedroom,” Proctor said.
She died at the scene.
The defense, Proctor said, “hired a psychiatrist who would have presented evidence that the defendant had a history of mental disease. There was also evidence of methamphetamine usage on the part of the defendant.”
Proctor also had a psychologist set to testify that “the defendant likely was suffering from paranoia and hallucinations at the time” of the crime, he said.
“The difference between the expert witnesses,” Proctor said, “is one would have testified the defendant acted because of his history of mental disease, and the other would have testified he acted because of his voluntary drug usage, coupled with hallucinations.”
What’s important, Proctor said, is “a dangerous person will serve the next 30 years, keeping our community safe.”
Proctor was grateful, he said, to those who investigated the crime and worked through the case.
“This was an excellent investigation conducted by the Poplar Bluff Police Department and Division of Drug and Crime Control. I appreciate the outstanding work of the law enforcement officers involved,” he said. “I also appreciate the help and assistance of the Dunklin County Prosecutor’s office and Judge Rob Mayer for presiding over this case.”