20 September 2019 :

Clay County Judge Don Lester sentenced Donald Davidson Jr., 38, White, to death. Davidson, a registered sexual predator, pleaded guilty in June for killing 37-year-old Roseann Welsh and sexually battering her 10-year-old daughter in their home, and he waved his right for a jury to recommend his sentence. Prosecutors said Davidson entered the home of Roseann Welsh on Dec. 1, 2014, strangled her and stabbed her in the neck several times. He then sexually assaulted Welsh's young daughter in the home and kidnapped her in the family's van. He took her to several areas and continually sexually assaulted her before dropping her off near her home. Davidson’s defense painted a picture of a man who was surrounded by other sex offenders, being abused for years by an older cousin, having mental issues created by his upbringing, drug abuse and a low IQ. Mark Wright, Davidson attorney, said his client accepted responsibility for the crime and “quite frankly, he is not surprised that this day happened.”