Jury Sentences Man to Death for Norman Triple-Murder

By Gan Matthews, NEWS 9

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- A jury has sentenced William Eugene Davis to death for the shotgun slayings of two of his sisters and the mother-in-law of one of the women back in September 2007.

The jury concluded that Davis, 52, was a threat to more than one person when he committed those crimes, that the murders were heinous, atrocious and cruel, and that Davis constitutes a continual threat to the public.

Defense attorneys for Davis argued he should receive life without the possibility of parole.

"Mr. Davis is a sick man, but he's not an animal. He's a human being who has done horrible things, but who had horrible things done to him," said Davis' defense attorney Lynn Burch during closing arguments in court Friday.

Cleveland County District Attorney Greg Mashburn countered Burch's argument by saying, "If the crime is the worst of the worst, then (Davis) deserves the most severe punishment."

The 12-person jury reached a verdict in about 30 minutes.

Brent Link, one of the victim's husband and a blind veteran, disarmed Davis the day of the murders. On Friday, Link spoke to the media for the first time since his wife's murder.

"The thing we had to make sure, and we were united on that front, is that William Eugene Davis would never breathe a breath of free air again. And having said that, that would ensure he would never have the opportunity to hurt anyone else. He's an evil man and he's right where he needs to be," Link said.

Davis' sister, Betty Zumwalt, said she hoped jurors would have more compassion for her brother's life.

"It's a great loss for all family. There is no win situation," Betty Zumwalt said.

Prosecutors said they believe Davis killed the women because he was upset about the amount of disability payments he was getting with the family's help.

More on News9.com: Jury Finds Norman Man Guilty in 2007 Triple-Homicide