Centerville woman convicted of homicide

HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. — Following an investigation from September of 2020, 26-year-old Jennifer Lynn Davenport, of Centerville, has been convicted of homicide in the 1st degree and driving under the influence. According to a press release from the Houston County District Attorney’s Office, Judge Katherine Lumsden accepted a blind plea from the defendant, and sentenced Davenport to a total of 15 years within the justice system; seven in the Department of Corrections, and eight on probation.

This case got it’s start when Warner Robins Police investigated a crash in September of 2020 on south Houston Lake Road near Tucker Place.

“Davenport was giving the Victim, Eddie Davis Jr., a ride home when she drove her vehicle into the middle lane divider,” the release said. “Davenport continued driving on the divider before crossing into the opposing lane of travel, eventually flipping her vehicle into a fence at 101 Tucker Place.

“The final resting place for the vehicle was in the yard of the residence. The victim was trapped in the vehicle and unconscious. He sustained serious injuries and was given life saving measures by emergency medical personal but was unfortunately pronounced deceased at the scene. Mr. Davis was from Americus, Georgia where he was a firefighter and was a proud veteran of the United States Armed Forces.”

The release added that Davenport was transported to the hospital, “where she was verbally aggressive and combative towards hospital staff.” Davenport attempted to leave the hospital until she was forcibly restrained.

According to a full traffic reconstruction conducted by WRPD, Davenport was travelling at 78 mph in a 45 mph zone. Law enforcement also said that Davenport had “several indicators of impairment including slurred speech, bloodshot and watery eyes, dilated pupils, and smelling strongly of alcohol,” and that the defendant “gave conflicting statements to law enforcement about how much alcohol she consumed, but [admitted] to drinking at least five beers.” Her blood was taken, and proved a blood alcohol concentration of .181.

Assistant District Attorney Lina Khan, the prosecutor in this trial, provided a comment upon Davenport’s prosecution:

“Traffic Homicides often do not receive the same publicity as other types of violent offenses, but we have shown the citizens of Houston County and the family of Eddie Davis Jr. that these cases matter. Eddie Davis Jr. mattered,” Khan said. “This case is about a senseless preventable death committed by a person who knew she had consumed at least five beers and still made the decision to get behind the wheel of a car.

“This is unacceptable and this office will continue to hold those individuals accountable who make reckless and destructive decisions.”

District Attorney William Kendall also provided a statement.

“Death of any kind is tragic. Death as a result of criminal conduct such as driving while impaired more than twice the legal limit is just senseless. Although we cannot undo what has been done, we hoped to have provided some closure for the victim’s family.”

Both Khan and Kendall thanked the investigators involved in this trial, as well as the victim advocates and family members involved.

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