By Staff
CASSOPOLIS – A terrifying Halloween night hatchet attack in Cass County found a sudden resolution just moments after the jury heard opening statements in the felony trial of Steven Davis.
During her opening statement, Assistant Prosecutor Tiffiny Vohwinkle indicated that on Oct. 31, 2006, the defendant, 48, had taken his two grandchildren, ages 6 and 8, trick or treating.
Vohwinkle, who handles most domestic violence cases in Cass County, indicated that when the defendant left with the children he was calm and even-tempered.
When he returned, however, he had undergone a disturbing transformation.
Davis re-appeared at his daughter's Calvin Township home some two hours later, angry, yelling obscenities and screaming at his grandchildren and his daughter.
The daughter and her children, fearing for their safety, retreated to a bedroom and closed the door.
To their complete shock, however, the defendant then used a small ax to hack his way into the bedroom.
With no phone in the residence, all the daughter and her children could do was huddle in the corner of the bedroom.
Once the defendant gained access to the bedroom, Vohwinkle indicated that he violently slapped her several times in the face while her young daughter and son watched in horror.
Davis then swung the blunt end of the hatchet at his daughter's head.
He connected with a resounding blow, knocking her to the floor.
The two children huddled nearby, crying and pleading for him to stop.
The defendant then left the bedroom and slept by the only door to the remote residence, holding the victims captive in the house overnight.
The following day the victim and her children were able to slip away and inform the Cass County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies Al Strukel and Darcy Garwood quickly returned to the scene and took the violent offender to jail.
As evidenced by the police, the blow created a large and painful lump to the side of the victim's head.
At trial on Tuesday, the daughter, her two children and an array of police officers were prepared to testify in court regarding the assault.
A jury was selected and sworn in.
After the prosecution delivered their opening statement they then called the victim into the courtroom to testify.
The defendant's daughter, near tears, silently approached the witness stand in Judge Michael Dodge's courtroom.
At that point the Cassopolis man abruptly changed his mind.
He leaned over and conferred quickly with his attorney.
The attorney then announced that his client was ready to plead guilty to all charged crimes.
Davis then pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon, domestic violence and being an habitual felony offender.
Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz praised the victim for her actions.
"This brave young woman demanded that her children be protected. Her selfless actions will help make her kids and the community safer by holding violent domestic violence offenders accountable."
Fitz also indicated that "vigorously prosecuting domestic violence cases is essential. It protects children and the community. It's unfortunate that this troubled man put his own family through this torture before finally capitulating. At least he didn't make her and her kids testify and go through an entire trial."
Davis will be sentenced on Feb. 2 at 8:30 a.m. by Cass County Circuit Judge Michael E. Dodge.
The defendant faces up to six years in prison.
He remains in jail pending sentencing.