Major Davis II pleads guilty in murder of IMPD Officer Perry Renn
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — An Indianapolis man will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of IMPD Officer Perry Renn.
Under a plea agreement entered in court Friday, Major Davis II avoids the death penalty but will serve a life sentence.
Marion Prosecutor Terry Curry says his office struck a deal to avoid a prolonged timeline in a case that has already taken several twists and turns.
In October, a judge found Davis was not mentally competent to stand trial.
“Given the relatively young age of the defendant, the obvious mental health issues – it was certain that it was no longer appropriate as a death penalty case,” Curry said.
Following the July 2014 fatal shooting death of Officer Perry Renn, Davis frequently fought with his attorneys and tried to file motions on his own behalf. After being found incompetent to stand trial in October, his defense attorneys at the time said he suffered from paranoia and delusions.
But following psychiatric treatments at a state-run facility, Davis was found competent to stand trial in February of this year. That’s when, Curry says, talks with Davis’ attorneys began in earnest to discuss a possible plea agreement.
All the while, Curry says, he kept Perry Renn’s widow, Lynn, abreast of the proceedings.
“We had frequent conversations with them to keep them aprised along the way. Again, without going into too much substance – this resolution is something that Lynn Renn would like to have seen from day one,” Curry said.
He will be sentenced on April 27.
“Pursuant to this agreement, Major Davis II will spend the rest of his life in prison with no possibility of parole,” Prosecutor Curry stated. “This resolution meets the wishes of Officer Renn’s widow, Lynn Renn, and provides finality on the criminal matter. By this plea, the family, friends, and witnesses impacted by this violent act will avoid what would likely have been years of courtroom proceedings for discovery, trial, and possible appeals.”
Renn and fellow officer Nicholas Gallico responded a shots fired call on July 5. Renn was struck by three rounds fired by Davis.
Davis, 25 at the time of the murder, was charged days later.
In 2014, prosecutors said they would seek the death penalty in the case.
Davis tried to file a lawsuit, claiming excessive force used during his arrest, in early 2016. That lawsuit was thrown out.
After learning of the plea agreement the Fraternal Order of Police released the following statement:
Our collective membership is pleased to learn of the guilty plea of the suspect in the murder of IMPD Officer, Perry Renn.
We are grateful that justice has been served on behalf of Officer Renn, his wife Lynn, the Renn family, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and our entire Indianapolis community.
We appreciate the diligent work of the involved criminal investigators and Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. We also value the steadfast commitment of Prosecutor, Terry Curry.
Our FOP family will continue to support Lynn and all other survivors of our fallen officers. We ask our community to hold a special moment of reflection for Officer Perry Renn who made the Supreme Sacrifice for our community. Blessed are the peacemakers…lest we forget.
IMPD Chief Roach also released a statement following Friday’s developments in the case:
The murder of Officer Perry Renn is a deep wound that Officer Renn’s family, IMPD, and others in our community that has not yet healed, Today’s announcement provides some level of comfort to the Renn family, and IMPD, that a collaborative effort of both Marion County Prosecutor’s Office and IMPD that individuals that take another’s life, especially that of our city’s public servants, will be held accountable.
Perry Renn’s widow, Lynn Renn released the following statement after learning of the guilty plea:
This is the conclusion that I wanted and that Perry would have wanted. The plea provides finality and allows me and others deeply impacted to avoid the possibility of a lengthy trial and appeals process. Justice has been served. I hope that we can now focus our thoughts away from this criminal case and to the legacy and sacrifice of Perry.
I want to thank my family and dearest friends, my IMPD family, other survivors in the law enforcement community, FOP Lodge #86 and many others in the community for their continued support and encouragement. I want to thank Prosecutor Curry and his office for keeping me informed and consulting with me throughout this very complex and stressful process.
At one point in 2016, Davis was deemed not competent to stand trial.
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