Innocent pleas entered in death

Bobby Cutts Jr. and a high school classmate are charged in the death of a pregnant
Jessie Davis.

CANTON (AP) — A police officer pleaded innocent Friday to three counts of aggravated murder and other charges in the killing of his pregnant girlfriend.

Bobby Cutts Jr., who could receive the death penalty if convicted in the death of Jessie Davis and her unborn daughter, nodded at his parents and his pastor upon entering and leaving the makeshift courtroom at the Stark County safety building.

Davis’ disappearance in June drew national attention as thousands gathered to search for her in the area surrounding her Northeast Ohio home. Authorities have not said how she was killed.

Along with the aggravated murder counts, Cutts, 30, also faces two counts of gross abuse of a corpse and one count each of aggravated burglary and endangering children.

“His spirits are strong. I think he has faith in the process,” said Cutts’ attorney Fernando Mack. “He’s presumed innocent just like any other defendant situated similarly. He just wants people to pray for him.”

Myisha Ferrell, a high school classmate of Cutts, also pleaded innocent Friday to charges of obstructing justice and complicity to abuse of a corpse. Prosecutors say she helped dispose of Davis’ body.

Common Pleas Judge Charles E. Brown Jr. set a trial date of Sept. 18, within 90 days of their arrests.

The date could be postponed if defense attorneys waive the defendants’ rights to speedy trials. They could also request to have the trials moved to a different county because of the case’s heavy publicity.

“We have to evaluate the case and do our homework,” said Cutts’ attorney Myron Watson.

“Right now, it’s just hard to gauge,” Mack added.

500 prospective jurors

Brown asked the jury commissioner to mail summonses to an unusually high 500 prospective jurors along with questionnaires regarding the death penalty and what they know about the case.

Davis’ mother, Patricia Porter, left the arraignment without commenting as did prosecutors who walked out with her. Assistant prosecutor Dennis Barr cited an order filed by the judge Friday that prevents parties from discussing the case.

Authorities say Davis was killed June 14 in her home near North Canton, about 45 miles south of Cleveland. Davis’ body, still carrying a nearly full-term fetus, was found nine days later about 25 miles away from her home in a remote area of a park.

A day after Davis was killed, Porter found her 21⁄2-year-old grandson, Blake, alone in the home wearing a dirty diaper. Bedroom furniture was toppled and a pool of bleach was on the floor.

Prosecutors want statements made by the toddler to be heard at trial. He provided authorities with the first clues, saying: “Mommy was crying. Mommy broke the table. Mommy’s in rug.”

Whether the toddler’s statements would be admissible at trial is up to the judge because of the boy’s age, said Stark County Prosecutor John Ferrero.

Cutts is the boy’s father, and Davis’ family says he was also the father of the baby girl Davis was due to deliver July 3.