AP-KS–Topeka-ChildKille
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Prosecutors say a man should be executed for kidnapping, raping and killing an 8-year-old Topeka girl, while the defense is calling for a life prison sentence.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that closing arguments were made Monday in the penalty phase of the trial for Billy Frank Davis Jr. The 31-year-old was convicted last week of 10 counts, including capital murder, in the May 2012 killing of Ahliyah Nachelle Irvin.
Defense attorney Mark Manna says imprisoning Davis for the rest of his life will protect the public.
Chief deputy district attorney Jacqie Spradling’s posted 30 photographs on a TV monitor depicting the battered child, her injuries and her blood smeared in the basement crime scene. Spradling says jurors will know what to do if they look at the images.
