Daniel Davitt, left, was convicted in the 2019 homicide of Constable Gene “Jim” Lee, right, on May 1, 2023. (Pinal County Sheriff’s Office; Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office )
An inmate at an Arizona prison now faces decades in jail for the death of a jailer nearly four years ago.
Daniel Davitt, 62, was found guilty of one count of manslaughter for attacking and killing Maricopa County Detention Officer Gene “Jim” Lee, 64, at Buckeye Jail in October 2019 .
“Officer Lee’s family is grateful for a resolution and appreciates all members of the community who have shown their love and support over the past three and a half years,” Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone said. , after the verdict was delivered in reported comments. by Glendale, Arizona-based radio station KTAR.
The attack took place on October 29, 2022. Davitt reportedly caught Lee off guard – suffocating him at first. Then the accused swept the other man’s legs from under him. As a result, the jailer hit his head against the concrete floor and lost consciousness. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries the following day.
After the attack, but before Lee’s death, doctors described his condition as “moment by moment,” Phoenix-based Fox affiliate KSAZ reported.
“The entire brain is affected by blood pressure from the injury, as well as brain swelling,” Dr. Paul Dobrowski, a trauma surgeon at Banner University Medical Center, said at the time.
A six-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, Lee’s death has sent an outpouring of grief and support for his loved ones.
“He loved good business, and we don’t know who introduced him to Goodwill, but what an engineer’s dream,” William Gutierrez, Lee’s nephew, said at a well-attended celebration of life in a local theatre, in reported comments. by the Republic of Arizona.
“One thing Jim taught us is that there’s a big world to explore, and if we want to try something, go for it (because) you might find something that offers a lifetime of enjoyment. ‘learning and fun,’ said the nephew. “For those of you who worked closely with my uncle, thank you for giving him the happiness he was looking for.”
“He lived more lives in one lifetime than most people would live in five lifetimes, he got it all,” Kevin Parmenter, Lee’s friend and former colleague, was quoted as saying at the memorial.
“Last week, October 30, when I received the call, time stood still for me. I took a deep breath, sighed and cried because I loved Jim…he was a very dear friend,” Officer Robert Brown said. “It is our duty and our honor to keep Jim’s memory alive for his family and his legacy.”
At the time of the attack, the accused had spent two years awaiting trial for child molestation. Months before the attack, Davitt filed a complaint with the sheriff’s office and then, later, a civil rights lawsuit – accusing Lee of sexual harassment for looking at his genitals in December 2018.
Davitt said he suffered from mental health issues and PTSD-like symptoms because Lee stared at him for 10 to 15 seconds. Sheriff Penzone said the allegation was investigated but unfounded.
Davitt has already been convicted of six crimes, meaning he faces a potentially hefty sentence of 15 to 30 years in prison.
His sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 2.
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