Arizona murder suspect faces new charges

PHOENIX — The 36-year-old man who is accused of killing a 16-year-old he got pregnant is facing charges in a separate case. 

In this new case, Jurrell Davis was arrested on 11 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, three counts of luring a minor for sex exploitation, two counts of child enticement using an electronic device, four counts of sexual conduct with a minor and eight counts of disobeying or resisting an order of the court. 

On July 31, Avondale police forwarded the case to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for review after police said an investigation revealed Davis asked a 17-year-old to send him explicit images. The victim had an order of protection against him, police said. 

Davis appeared in court on August 8. 

Davis is also facing murder charges after 16-year-old Zariah Dodd was found dead in a park near 59th Avenue and Thomas Road on July 5. Davis was 22 weeks pregnant when she died, police said. 

Detectives arrested Jechri James-Gillett, 18, along with Davis, in connection with the shooting. 

During a hearing for Davis, Ashley Stetson, a prosecutor with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, said that before she was killed, Dodd was scheduled to complete a forensic interview for an investigation into the sexual conduct of Davis. 

Given the fact that Dodd was under the age of 18, Davis could have faced criminal consequences for engaging in sexual acts with her.

Stetson also said a DNA test was done on Dodd’s unborn daughter, and the test confirmed that Davis was the child’s father. According to Stetson, the child would have been conceived when Dodd was 15 years old.

“The suspect is 36 or 37 years old,” Stetson said. “Your Honor, that is absolutely concerning.”

During the hearing for James-Gillett, Stetson said it’s alleged that the victim and James-Gillett were dating.

Stetson also said evidence suggests that James-Gillett was the person who picked up Dodd before her killing.

The judge imposed a $1 million cash-only bond for both Davis and James-Gillett. They were also ordered to have no contact with witnesses, victims, complainants or co-defendants if they were to post that bond.