TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Man Charged In 5 Polk Slayings Affirms Choice To Defend Self

ADVERTISEMENT

By JENNIFER LEIGH

News Channel 8

Published: October 16, 2008

  Leon Davis

BARTOW - Leon Davis, accused of killing five people in Polk County in 2007, appeared in court this morning for the first time as his own attorney.

Davis is accused in the slayings of sisters-in-law Juanita "Jane" Luciano and Yvonne Bustamante, who were set on fire at a Lake Wales insurance office, and shooting deaths of Pravinkumar Patel and Dasharathbhai Patel at a gas station near Lake Alfred.

In September, Davis won the right to act as his own attorney.

Polk County Circuit Judge Michael Hunter ruled that Davis can represent himself but that he will have standby counsel and can change his mind up to the first day of jury selection.

Both attacks occurred during robbery attempts, investigators said.

Luciano was six months pregnant.

During the regularly scheduled status hearing to monitor the progress of his case, Hunter asked Davis repeatedly whether he had changed his mind wanted counsel appointed. Davis repeatedly said, "Not at this time, your honor."

He already has backup counsel but is considering whether he wants to relinquish his position as "self-appointed" defense.

Davis did agree to meet with a defense lawyer named Karen Meeks.

There is another status hearing scheduled for Dec. 18.

Hunter also set two trial dates for Davis. The first date is Oct. 12, for the Lake Wales killings.

Doctors tried to deliver the baby of one of the victims, but the baby died after the C-section.

The second trial is set for January 2010. In that case, Davis is accused of gunning down two men outside a BP station.

Davis, who faces five counts of first-degree murder, is being held without bail.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT