TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A man convicted of kidnapping, raping and killing an 8-year-old Topeka girl before stuffing her body in a clothes dryer has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.
A Shawnee County District judge handed down the sentence Friday for 31-year-old Bill Frank Davis Jr.
Prosecutors had sought the death penalty after Davis was convicted in December of 10 counts, including capital murder in the 2012 killing of 8-year-old Ahliyah Nachelle Irvin. But defense witnesses testified that Davis suffered from severe mental illness, and jurors couldn’t unanimously decide to recommend execution.
Along with his life sentence, Davis also received more than 60 years in prison for other convictions.
Ahliyah’s family has said they’re pleased Davis will spend the rest of his in prison.