CARROLLTON, Texas (AP) - A Texas man has been charged with murder in the death of a 16-year-old girl who police said they believe was killed to keep her from testifying at the man's upcoming sexual assault trial.
Police in the Dallas suburb of Carrollton say Franklin B. Davis, 30, of Irving was charged with capital murder Sunday after confessing to the death of Shania Gray. Gray was last seen alive Thursday afternoon at Hebron High School in the Dallas suburb of Carrollton. Her body was found Saturday in a secluded area near the Trinity River.
Carrollton police spokesman Jon Stovall told The Associated Press in an email that police believe Davis killed Gray because she was about to testify against him.
A spokeswoman for Gray's family, Sherry Ramsey, said Gray met Davis when she babysat his two children. Ramsey said that later, after the teen declined many requests to babysit, Gray told her grandmother that Davis had raped her.
The crime was reported to Mesquite police, and Davis was charged with four counts of sexual assault of a child.
Ramsey said Davis had warned Gray he would kill her if she told anyone about the assault.
According to an arrest warrant, Davis contacted Gray through a social media site and pretended to be someone else in an attempt to get information about the sexual assault case. Davis then used a pre-paid cellphone to set up a meeting with Gray at her high school on Thursday.
Davis told authorities that Gray was surprised to see him but got into his car when he told her he wanted to talk to her about the sexual assault case.
He said he then drove her to the remote area. He told authorities she partially fell into the river after he shot her twice and asked "Why Wish?" - a nickname that Davis used. Davis then stepped on her neck till she stopped breathing, according to the arrest warrant.
"It's our understanding that Shania was killed within the hour when she was picked up from school," Stovall said.
Davis was being held Monday morning in the Dallas County jail on $2 million bond. An attorney listed for him did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Man charged with murder of teen girlRelated Stories
- More Texas News
- National News
- International News
- Hundreds remember dead Texas cheerleader
- Texas police nab suspect in postal worker's death
- Texas bill would drastically revamp water agency
- Dallas suburb solar panel fight exposes problems
- Houston man shot in head trying to help woman
- Man shot dead at north Houston restaurant
- Memorial for dead Texas cheerleader set for Sunday
- Here is the latest Texas sports news from The Associated Press
- Winning numbers drawn in Powerball jackpot
- Last-minute fortune seekers buy Powerball tickets
- United to restart 787 flights on Monday
- US gas prices up 11 cents over past 2 weeks
- 10 Things to Know for Monday
- Taylor Swift wins 8 trophies at Billboard Awards
- US adviser on board of firm that sold anthrax drug
- Eds: With AP Photos.
- How the Conn. train crash will affect commuters
- 2 FBI agents killed in training accident in Va.
- Commuters warned of traffic mess for up to 1 week
- Tornadoes hit Kan., Okla.; no injuries reported
- SKorea analyzing if 4 projectiles North Korea launched were missiles or artillery
- Syrian regime troops score gains, push into strategic rebel-held town near Lebanon
- Top Libyan official: Benghazi explosion accident
- Nigeria military: 17 killed during offensive
- Algerian editor accuses government of censorship
- Zimbabwe PM: We will end police, military abuse
- Pope: church should open up but follow teaching
- Russian TV: American accused of spying flies out
- Cairo airport baggage handlers end strike
- Mice return from a month in space
Automotive
Find valuable information about buying your next car, including price quotes and your latest automotive news.
Wedding Central
The greatest Southeast Texas story ever told. Share your wedding and engagement news!
Lost and Found Pets
These are pets that have been lost or found in the KFDM News Channel 6 viewing area.
No Text Zone
Texting While Driving Kills Thousands of People Each Year. Many More are Seriously Injured. You Can Help Make Our Roads a NO TEXT ZONE
Texas Lottery
Texas Lottery
Community Calendar
Check out our Community Calendar!
Baby Talk
Baby Talk with Nicole Murray.
KFDM Channel 6 Top Stories
Business News
Gauge of US economy's future health up in April
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A measure of the U.S. economy's future health rose in solidly in April, buoyed by a sharp rise in applications to build new homes and apartments.
Consumer News
BC-US--Dow Record-Three Personal Stories, 1st Ld-Writethru,1173
Dow Record: Three tales of ups, downs and changes
AP Photo FX102, FX103
Eds: With BC-US--Dow Record. Adds photos.
By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- When the Dow first crossed 14,000, investors were overjoyed. ...
Entertainment News
Get This
ON THIN ICE?
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- He was already on thin ice with the law when he failed to meet the conditions of his probation.
Science/Tech News
IN THE NEWS: LABOR GROUP SAYS CONDITIONS AT APPLE PLANTS IMPROVING
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A labor group Apple joined to assess working conditions at three manufacturing plants in China, where its products are made, says conditions are getting better.

