Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Jason Paul Davidson of Leesburg is scheduled to go on trial April 7 in the murder of Samuel J. Creekmore.
Creekmore, 30, of Warsaw, was shot to death May 2 in his Melody Acres home. An autopsy revealed Creekmore suffered five gunshot wounds: three to the head and two to the mid-section of the torso.
He will be tried in Kosciusko Circuit Court.
Davidson, 32, was arrested and charged with Creekmore's murder shortly after the shooting occurred. He also faces a firearms enhancement charge.
Creekmore was the current husband of Davidson's ex-wife. Davidson and Alicia Davidson-Creekmore were divorced since November 2000. She and Creekmore were reportedly married for about 1-1/2 years.
Davidson kept in frequent contact with his ex-wife and the two maintained a friendship because of their two children, according to police and court documents.
Michael Miner is Davidson's attorney. The next court hearing in the case is set for Jan. 31. The April 7 trial is scheduled to last five days.
If convicted of the murder charge, Davidson could be sentenced to 45 to 65 years in prison. The firearms enhancement charge would add five years to the range.
Police said Davidson was talking to his former wife on the telephone the night of the alleged murder. According to the probable cause affidavit, Davidson-Creekmore said Davidson told her to "hang on for a second." She then heard a door open, gunshots and Creekmore screaming.
Davidson-Creekmore and Christina Barden, who also lived in the house, ran downstairs, where they reportedly saw Davidson holding a gun. Davidson then reportedly fled the home while Barden called 911.
At the time of his arrest, Davidson, accompanied by Miner, surrendered to police. A .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol believed to be the murder weapon was turned over to police at that time.
Davidson has been held without bond since he was taken into custody.
