Murder of Jessie Davis

Jessie Marie Davis (born May 27, 1981),Robert Wang and Kelli Young, [http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=362537&Category=9&subCategoryID=0 "Cause of Davis death not announced"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930013159/http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=362537&Category=9&subCategoryID=0 |date=2007-09-30 }}, Canton Repository, June 30, 2007 was last seen shopping at Acme Fresh Market, a local grocery store. Her mother reported her missing on June 15, 2007, when she found her 2-year-old grandson Blake home alone, with bleach spilled on the floor and furniture broken and overturned. In televised reports, Davis' mother (who had last spoken with her daughter two days earlier) reported that Blake kept stating, "Mommy broke the table" and "Mommy's in the rug".[https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna19293920 "Missing woman's toddler son may offer clues"], NBC News, June 19, 2007. At the time of her disappearance, Davis was a resident of Lake Township in Stark County, Ohio.[http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/17413807.htm "Pregnant woman's body identified"], Akron Beacon Journal, June 24, 2007.

A search of the area involving "thousands of volunteers"[http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/06/25/davis.slaying/index.html?eref=onion "Slain woman's mom says 'nothing' in alleged killer's eyes"], CNN, June 26, 2007 including members of Texas EquuSearch, was launched. On June 23, Davis' body was recovered in a wooded area in neighboring Summit County, in Hampton Hills Metro Park—a park surrounded by, but distinct from Cuyahoga Valley National Park,Stephanie Kist, [http://www.akron.com/20070628/wsl1.ASP "Local Metro Park cast into national spotlight"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070702231246/http://www.akron.com/20070628/wsl1.ASP |date=2007-07-02 }}, Akron Leader, June 28, 2007 in the vicinity of Cuyahoga Falls.Edd Pritchard, [http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=361687&r=0&Category=15&subCategoryID=0 "Canton cop faces murder charges"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927192553/http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=361687&r=0&Category=15&subCategoryID=0 |date=2007-09-27 }}, Canton Repository, June 24, 2007.[http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=362168 "Medical examiner still investigating the cause of death"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927192732/http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=362168 |date=2007-09-27 }}, Canton Repository, June 27, 2007.

The first reliable website to pin down the widely reported rumor that Cutts had assisted in locating the body of Davis was that of America's Most Wanted: "AMW sources have confirmed that Bobby Cutts Jr., Jessie's boyfriend and the father of her 2-year-old son Blake, led law enforcement to the body."[http://www.amw.com/captures/brief.cfm?id=46167 "Cutts Preliminary Hearing Waived; Case Goes To Grand Jury"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070706205036/http://www.amw.com/captures/brief.cfm?id=46167 |date=2007-07-06 }}, America's Most Wanted, retrieved July 2, 2007

The post-mortem was performed by the Summit County authorities, as this is where the body was recovered. Her body was reported to be in an "advanced state of decomposition".[https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna19387533 "Second person arrested in Ohio woman's death"], NBC News, June 24, 2007. The autopsy was performed the following day, confirming her identity.Joe Milicia, [http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/17413720.htm "Woman arrested in Davis case"], Akron Beacon Journal, June 24, 2007. Investigators believe Davis was murdered on June 14, but confirmation of this, as well as the precise means of death, await the results of forensic tests.Phil Trexler and Stephanie Warsmith, [http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/17424004.htm "Cause of death still unknown"], Akron Beacon Journal, June 27, 2007. Bob Budgake, director of the Stark-Summit County crime lab, indicated that the lab was "working overtime and weekends to process evidence from the Jessie Davis case, two other recent murders and other investigations."[http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=70562&provider=gnews "Evidence in Jessie Davis case overloads crime lab"], WKYC-TV, July 3, 2007

A single-casket funeral for Jessie and her daughter was held June 30 at the House of the Lord, with a subsequent interment at Greenlawn Memorial Park. The arrangements were handled by the Silva-Hostetler Funeral Home, both in the Akron area.Laura Johnston, [http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/summit/118301993381420.xml&coll=2 "Davis funeral scheduled for Saturday in Akron"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215101350/http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fsummit%2F118301993381420.xml&coll=2 |date=2008-02-15 }}, The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio), June 28, 2007Lisa Davis, [https://archive.today/20120910124106/http://www.starbeacon.com/local/local_story_180072340 "Ashtabula native handling funeral for Jessie Davis"], Ashtabula Star Beacon June 29, 2007 Although members of the Cutts family attended, Davis' son Blake did not. The family "felt the toddler had already been through enough."Jewell Cardwell, [http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/17442827.htm "Memories, tears flow at Jessie Davis' funeral"], Akron Beacon Journal, July 1, 2007 Approximately 750 people attended the service.[http://www.ohionewsnow.com/?sec=news&story=sites/ONN/content/pool/200707/293408638.html "Man Accused Of Killing Pregnant Mom In Court"], OhioNewsNow.com, July 2, 2007

The service was also streamed online on local news stations' websites so people who could not attend could still see the service.[http://www.myfoxcleveland.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=485E5ED28048B57F5AB239416D6D4081?contentId=3644918&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1]{{Dead link|date=November 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}

Her mother, Patricia Porter, said at the service that her daughter had been a committed God-fearing person after doing overseas missionary work, but at some point "she took a wrong turn somewhere."

Porter said her daughter realized in church a few weeks ago that she needed to reform her life.[http://www.10tv.com/?sec=news&story=sites/10tv/content/pool/200707/482013630.html "Defense Wants To Keep Evidence Quiet In Pregnant Woman Slaying"], WBNS-TV, July 2, 2007

Prior to the funeral, hundreds of people paid their final respects for Davis with a candlelight vigil held outside her Lake Township duplex and during calling hours at the House of the Lord Church.Jeffrey Zupanic, [http://www.the-review.com/news/article/2200572 "Mourners say fond farewell to Jessie Davis"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928105612/http://www.the-review.com/news/article/2200572 |date=2007-09-28 }}, Alliance Review, June 29, 2007

In July 2007, Jennifer Snyder, a native of Lake Township, Ohio, established Blake's Bright Tomorrow, a trust fund for Blake Davis' college education.{{Cite web |url=http://www.blakesbrighttomorrow.com/ |title=Blake's Bright Tomorrow |access-date=January 15, 2008 |archive-date=January 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080103224517/http://www.blakesbrighttomorrow.com/ |url-status=dead }} On July 21, Snyder organized the Blake's Bright Tomorrow festival and auction, which included signed memorabilia from LeBron James, Joe Theismann, Jerome Bettis, Faith Hill, and Tim McGraw.Melissa Griffy Seeton, [http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=364866 "Donations, benefit in works for Blake Davis"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216024025/http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=364866 |date=2008-02-16 }}, Canton Repository, July 14, 2007.

Countrywide Home Loans also donated a home to Blake Davis and his grandmother, Patty Porter, who lived in a small apartment.[http://www.rdbmagazine.com/publication/article.jsp?pubId=1&id=606 "A Home for Blake, 2-Year-Old Son of Jessie Davis"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215103500/http://www.rdbmagazine.com/publication/article.jsp?pubId=1&id=606 |date=2008-02-15 }}, Residential Design & Build, July 21, 2007.

{{Infobox criminal

| name = Bobby Cutts Jr.

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1977|5|21}}

| conviction = *Aggravated murder (2 counts)

• Aggravated burglary
• Gross abuse of a corpse
• Child endangering

| penalty = Life imprisonment without the eligibility of parole for 57 years

| imprisoned = Marion Correctional Institution

| victims = Jessie Davis and her unborn daughter

| image = BobbyCuttsJr.jpg

| caption = 2007 mugshot of Cutts

| birth_name = Bobby Lee Cutts Jr.

| occupation = Police officer (formerly)

| birth_place = Canton, Ohio, U.S.

| image_size = 200

}}

Davis' boyfriend, Bobby Lee Cutts Jr. was arrested and charged with two counts of murder on June 23, 2007.[http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/06/23/missing.woman/index.html "Police: Pregnant woman's body found; cop arrested"], CNN, June 24, 2007 Cutts was a police officer in the Canton, Ohio, Police Department, and the father of Davis' son and unborn daughter. The Canton Police Department, which had not considered Cutts a suspect, did not participate in the arrest, which was executed by the FBI and the local Sheriffs department.

Cutts (born May 21, 1977, in Canton)[http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1182674616106490.xml&coll=2 "Bobby Cutts Jr."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215101332/http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews%2F1182674616106490.xml&coll=2 |date=2008-02-15 }}, The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio, June 24, 1977 is the son of Renee Horne and Bobby Cutts Sr. He was married to, but separated from, another woman at the time of the murder. According to Cutts, the couple had discussed a divorce.[http://www.cleveland.com/jessiedavis/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/118241502936950.xml&coll=2 "Policeman tells Canton reporter his side of story"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829031509/http://www.cleveland.com/jessiedavis/plaindealer/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews%2F118241502936950.xml&coll=2 |date=2007-08-29 }}, The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio), June 21, 2007. His wife formally filed for divorce four days after his arrest.[http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=362186 "Cutts' wife seeks divorce"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927192819/http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=362186 |date=2007-09-27 }}, Canton Repository, June 27, 2007. Other allegations of abuse had previously been leveled against Cutts in Stark county.[https://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=3320952&page=1&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312 Daughter Alleged Abuse by Accused Murderer Bobby Cutts] ABC news

For much of the period leading to the discovery of the body, local law enforcement told the news media that Cutts was not a suspect, or even a "person of interest".[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sheriff-found-baby-isnt-missing-moms/ "Sheriff: Found Baby Isn't Missing Mom's"], CBS News, June 22, 2007. At the time of his arrest, Cutts was a resident of Plain Township in Stark County.

The only interview Cutts has granted to the press to date was published in The Repository. This was with Todd Porter, a sportswriter with whom Cutts had previous contact. Cutts denied he was involved. Porter writes: "Cutts looked tired, sullen, and depressed. He openly wept during an exclusive interview with The Repository from his home."Todd Porter, [http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=360797 "Cutts: I did not have anything to do with Davis' disappearance"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927192613/http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=360797 |date=2007-09-27 }}, Canton Repository, June 19, 2007

Cutts is believed to have been active on a dating site during the time Davis was missing and allegedly logged in just days before his arrest on June 23.Jeffrey Zupanic, [http://www.the-review.com/news/article/2184502 "Cutts on dating site until time of arrest"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928105557/http://www.the-review.com/news/article/2184502 |date=2007-09-28 }}, Alliance The Review, June 28, 2007{{cite news|last1=TRESNIOWSKI|first1=ALEX|title='We Prayed It Was Not Him' – Vol. 68 No. 2|url=http://people.com/archive/we-prayed-it-was-not-him-vol-68-no-2/|accessdate=29 September 2017|work=PEOPLE.com|publisher=Time Inc.|date=9 July 2007}}

Cutts and Myisha Ferrell graduated together in 1995 from GlenOak High School.

The police raided Ferrell's apartment on June 23, seizing cleaning supplies and duct tape, among other things. The Canton Repository reported that:

A source close to Cutts told The Repository Saturday that Cutts said he asked a female friend help him remove Davis' body from her home. Cutts reportedly said Davis’ death was not his doing, but he thought no one would believe him and decided to hide the body.Todd Porter, [http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=361686&r=0&Category=15&subCategoryID=0 "Deputies raid home in search of evidence"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626173651/http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=361686&r=0&Category=15&subCategoryID=0 |date=2007-06-26 }}, Canton Repository, June 24, 2007.

The impression that Ferrell was involved in moving the body is reinforced by the statements made at the court hearing of July 2.

Ferrell was arrested and charged with obstruction of justice.[http://www.newsnet5.com/news/13558317/detail.html "2nd Person Arrested After Missing Woman's Body Identified"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626052135/http://www.newsnet5.com/news/13558317/detail.html |date=2007-06-26 }}, WEWS-TV, June 24, 2007. At the time of her arrest, she was employed part-time at a local Denny's, and was undergoing eviction proceedings from her apartment.Karen Farkas and John Horton, [http://www.cleveland.com/jessiedavis/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1182847277203590.xml&coll=2 "Suspect's classmate kept very low profile"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215101325/http://www.cleveland.com/jessiedavis/plaindealer/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews%2F1182847277203590.xml&coll=2 |date=2008-02-15 }}, The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio), June 26, 2007

On December 15, 2008, Ferrell was ordered released after serving one year of her two-year sentence, followed by three years of probation.{{cite news|last1=Miller|first1=Donna J.|title=Myisha Ferrell leaves prison early; had helped hide body of Jessie Davis|url=http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/12/myisha_ferrell_released_early.html|accessdate=29 September 2017|work=cleveland.com|publisher=Advance Ohio|date=15 December 2008|location=CANTON, Ohio}} Jessie Davis' mother and father were in attendance at the court proceeding.

Cutts and Ferrell were charged on June 25. Judge John Poulos set Cutts' bond at $5,000,000; Ferrell's bail was set at $500,000. That same day, Cutts was suspended without pay from the Canton Police Department.Shane Hoover, [http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=361961&Category=15&subCategoryID=0 "Family confronts Cutts in courtroom"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927192757/http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=361961&Category=15&subCategoryID=0 |date=2007-09-27 }}, Canton Repository, June 26, 2007. He had been on paid administrative leave.

Each appeared at separate court hearings on July 2, before Judge Richard J. Kubilus. These preliminary hearings were meant for the prosecution to present sufficient probable cause to hold the accused. The complexity of the case, and the time frame of the arrests made this necessary as insufficient time existed to obtain an indictment.Edd Pritchard, [http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?Category=9&ID=362194&subCategoryID=0 "Cutts case won't go directly to grand jury"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930013136/http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?Category=9&ID=362194&subCategoryID=0 |date=2007-09-30 }}, Canton Repository, June 27, 2007. However, both defendants waived the preliminary hearing, and the case went to the grand jury.[http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/17446751.htm "Cutts friend `helped deposit body'"], Akron Beacon Journal, July 2, 2007 Cutts was represented by Bradley Iams, while Ferrell was represented by John Alexander Jr. of Akron. A request for bail reduction was made on behalf of Ferrell, but this was refused after the prosecutor said "Myisha Ferrell 'helped deposit the body' and lied to police officers several times throughout the investigation."

On November 5, 2007, as her trial was about to begin, Ferrell agreed to plead guilty to charges of obstruction of justice and complicity to gross abuse of a corpse for her role in Davis' disappearance and death. Under the terms of her plea agreement, Ferrell was sentenced to two years in prison—a sentence that may be lengthened unless Ferrell testifies honestly at the trial of Cutts. The judge said he would consider releasing Ferrell on probation after one year.{{cite news |author=Shane Hoover |title=Ferrell pleads guilty; to testify against Cutts in Davis' death |url=http://www.timesreporter.com/index.php?ID=74994&r=0 |date=2007-11-05 |newspaper=The Times-Reporter |accessdate=2007-11-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215161241/http://www.timesreporter.com/index.php?ID=74994&r=0 |archive-date=2008-02-15 |url-status=dead }}

Cutts' trial began on February 4, 2008. On February 11, Cutts took the stand and described Davis' death. He said that he struggled with her in her house and struck her in the throat with his elbow. Cutts testified that he tried to resuscitate Davis after she became unconscious. He also said that he did not call 911 because Davis didn't have a telephone in her house and he didn't know how to turn on her cell phone.{{cite web |author=James Ewinger |title=Bobby Cutts says he didn't mean to kill Davis |url=http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/02/bobby_cutts_says_he_didnt_mean.html |date=February 11, 2008 |publisher=The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio)|accessdate=2008-02-11 }}

On February 15, 2008, Cutts was convicted of the murder of Davis and the aggravated murder of her unborn child.{{cite news|title=Bobby Cutts Jr. Found Guilty of Killing Pregnant Girlfriend and Fetus, Mistrial Request Denied|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/bobby-cutts-jr-found-guilty-of-killing-pregnant-girlfriend-and-fetus-mistrial-request-denied/|access-date=29 September 2017|work=Associated Press|agency=Fox News|publisher=FOX News Network, LLC.|date=15 February 2008|location=CANTON, Ohio}} He was also found guilty of associated charges, including aggravated burglary; gross abuse of a corpse; and child endangering.{{cite web |title=Prosecutors win two out of three |url=http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=399639 |date=February 15, 2008 |newspaper=Canton Repository |accessdate=2008-02-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220044736/http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=399639 |archivedate=February 20, 2008 }} Cutts faced the possibility of life imprisonment or a death sentence.{{cite web |title=Cutts will get at least 25 years in prison |url=http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=399688 |date=February 15, 2008 |newspaper=Canton Repository |accessdate=2008-02-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220044743/http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=399688 |archivedate=February 20, 2008 }} The jury, in its penalty phase, declined to impose a death sentence.

Bobby Cutts Jr. was sentenced on February 27, 2008, to life imprisonment without the eligibility of parole for 57 years.{{cite news|last1=Sheeran|first1=Thomas J.|title=Ex-officer's life spared|url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/695257071/Ex-officers-life-spared.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929140135/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/695257071/Ex-officers-life-spared.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 29, 2017|accessdate=29 September 2017|work=Associated Press|agency=DeseretNews.com|publisher=Deseret Digital Media.|date=28 February 2008|location=CANTON, Ohio|language=en}}{{cite news|last1=Mallory|first1=Simon|last2=O'Neill|first2=Ann|title=Killer ex-cop gets 57 to life after jury spares him - CNN.com|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/02/27/cutts.sentence/index.html|accessdate=29 September 2017|agency=Cable News Network|publisher=Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.|date=27 February 2008|language=en}} He must serve each of his murder convictions consecutively.

{{Portal|Ohio}}

• Crime in Ohio
• List of killings by law enforcement officers in the United States prior to 2009
• List of solved missing person cases

{{notelist}}

{{reflist|2}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070717105129/http://www.cleveland.com/jessiedavis/ Special Report] - Cleveland The Plain Dealer
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070626162349/http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?external=jmdavis.php Jessie Marie Davis Coverage] and [https://web.archive.org/web/20080216024055/http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?external=cuttstrial.php Bobby L. Cutts Jr. Trial] – Canton Repository
• [http://www.legacy.com/ohio/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=89804371 Obituary], from Akron Beacon Journal

• [http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2007/images/06/25/cutts.documents.pdf.pdf Ohio v. Bobby Lee Cutts, Jr.] (pdf at CNN)
• [http://news.lp.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/crim/ohcutts62407cmp.html Ohio v. Bobby Lee Cutts, Jr.] (at FindLaw)
• [http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2007/images/06/25/ferrell.documents.pdf.pdf Ohio v. Myisha Lynne Ferrell] (pdf at CNN)
• [http://news.lp.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/crim/ohcutts62407cmp3.html Ohio v. Myisha Lynne Ferrell] (at FindLaw)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Davis, Jessie}}

Category:2007 in Ohio

Davis, Jessie disappearance and murder of

Category:2010s missing person cases

Category:Crimes in Ohio

Category:Female murder victims

Category:Formerly missing American people

Category:Incidents of violence against women

Category:June 2007 crimes in the United States

Category:Killings by law enforcement officers in the United States

Category:Missing person cases in Ohio

Davis, Jessie disappearance and murder of

Category:Murders by law enforcement officers in the United States

Davis, Jessie disappearance and murder of

Category:Violence against women in Ohio

Category:Capital murder cases