Major Davis pleads guilty to killing IMPD officer in 2014
The man accused of gunning down Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Officer Perry Renn in 2014 pleaded guilty to murder Friday morning.
Major Davis, 27, will serve life in prison without the possibility of parole under terms of a plea agreement entered in Marion Superior Court.
Judge Marc Rothenberg accepted the plea agreement and convicted Davis of murder during the hearing which began at 7:40 a.m.
In exchange, Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry dismissed the death penalty. Davis is scheduled to be sentenced April 27.
"This is the conclusion that I wanted and that Perry would have wanted," Renn's widow, Lynn Renn, said in a statement provided by Curry's office. "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."
Curry said the plea puts an end to what would have been an emotional criminal trial.
"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," Curry said in a statement.
Davis shot and killed Renn, a 22-year IMPD veteran, in a July 2014 gun battle on the city's east side.
The case has been stalled several times amid Davis' attempts to fire his attorneys and questions over his mental health.
In February, Rothenberg ruled that Davis was mentally fit to stand trial. Jury selection had been set to begin in October.
Renn, 51, a nearly 22-year veteran of IMPD, patrolled the east side and north side for his entire career.
"He knew his people. He knew his job. He was always active," IMPD Lt. Tom Black told IndyStar in 2014.
Authorities say Renn and other officers were responding to a call of shots being fired in the area. Authorities believe Davis was agitated before police arrived.
Court documents say Renn was struck three times with shots fired by Davis from an assault rifle. Davis also was shot.
"There are untold numbers of people who are better off today because of their interactions with officer Perry Renn," then-Mayor Greg Ballard said at the officer's funeral in Bankers Life Fieldhouse. "In one moment, he was a child's best friend, a great neighbor down the street. In the next moment, he is a protector, defender, warrior."
Neighbor and good friend Sabrina Young said Renn loved his two Australian shepherds and was fond of all the dogs in his neighborhood.
"And all the dogs knew him," Young said at the funeral. "All the dogs are mourning, especially Perry's dogs."
Call IndyStar reporter Vic Ryckaert at (317) 444-2701. Follow him on Twitter: @vicryc.
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