Court documents detail dismemberment

James Davis borrowed a reciprocating saw from an acquaintance two days after the May 10 shooting death of former "Thundercats" writer Stephen Perry.

Davis returned the saw on May 17. It was missing its blade and had what appeared to be blood and human tissue on the inside of the blade guard. Testing determined that the blood and human tissue belonged to Perry.

These were among details released Friday in newly filed court documents.

Davis, 45, was arrested Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder in Perry's death.

Perry, 56, disappeared from the Zephyrhills home he shared with Davis and his wife, Roxanne. Roxanne Davis, 48, remains under investigation but has not been charged in Perry's death. She is in Land O' Lakes Jail on a probation violation charge.

Perry wrote seven episodes of "Thundercats," an animated 1980s television show.

His blue Dodge van was found at the Quality Inn at Bearss Avenue and Interstate 275 in Tampa on May 16. Investigators found a black plastic garbage bag in one of the motel's trash bins.

One of Perry's arms was found in the bag along with four pairs of rubber gloves, according to an arrest affidavit. Davis' DNA was found on the gloves.

In the van, deputies found two bags of powdered lime, a tarp, a 5-gallon gas can, a package of latex gloves and a box of trash bags.

The next day, deputies found a black plastic trash bag in a trash bin at State Road 54 and Allen Road in Zephyrhills. Inside was a circular saw with what appeared to be blood and cloth wedged in the blade guard, the affidavit states. A large pillow covered in blood and blood-soaked sheets also were found. The pillow had a bullet hole in it.

On June 2, detectives found Perry's decomposing torso wrapped in a tarp on a vacant lot at 26148 Foamflower Ave. in Wesley Chapel. Davis' mother lives nearby, the affidavit states.

By using sales receipts found in Perry's van, investigators were able to obtain surveillance video of Davis making purchases at a Walmart and Kmart in Land O' Lakes and a Home Depot in Zephyrhills, the affidavit states.

Among Davis' purchases were a circular saw blade, trash bags, gloves, twine, a tarp and bleach, according to the affidavit.

Detectives also acquired video of Davis using Perry's ATM card at two Zephyrhills banks in the five days after his death. According to the affidavit, each video shows a white male driving to the ATM in Perry's van. The man is wearing various disguises, including a mask, sunglasses, a wig, a bandanna and a camouflaged hat.

A mask similar to the one seen in the videos later was found in Perry's house at 38048 Eighth Ave. in Zephyrhills. Investigators searched the house May 17 and 18 and again on June 29.

They were met by the strong smell of bleach, according to a search warrant affidavit also released Friday. Mops and buckets were found in a bathroom, and a white powdery substance was on the floor.

Detectives found dried blood on the walls and floor of one bedroom.