Andrea Davis, the Hot Springs lawyer charged in a manslaughter case in the shooting of a man at her home, has worked out a plea bargain that gives her a probationary sentence on a charge of unlawful use of a communication device.
Accordig to court records of the deal approved this morning, she received 72 months of probation, 80 hours of community service, a $1,500 fine and $420 in costs. The state declined to prosecute the manslaughter charge. Judge Lynn Williams declined a motion for a particular type of special treatment as a first-time offender regarding expungment of the offense because the charges were based on a violent offense.
Davis was convicted of using her phone to arrange a drug transaction involving her brother, Matthew Davis, and Maxwell Anderson. Anderson was fatally shot at Davis’ home Feb. 29, 2012 when a dispute broke out. Andi Davis’ defense has been that her brother fired in self-defense when Anderson, who appeared under the influence of drugs, began striking her with a golf club and chasing her. Davis’ attorney,
In the plea agreement, prosecutors dropped or declined to prosecute other pending cases against Davis — misdemeanor contempt of court citations for failure to appear, drug violations and the charge of possession of stolen property. The court record indicates she’d been in rehabilitation. Jeff Rosenzweig, said charges over her possession of a putatively stolen trailer, stemmed from some misunderstandings by law officers on what he said was a valid sale. She had evidence of seeking police assistance in obtaining title to the trailer, he said.
Davis case drew increased attention because of an unrelated matter. After a divorce suit filing accused her of infidelity, including with some public figures, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel dropped out of a planned race for governor as a result of an “inappropriate” encounter with Davis.
Davis’ brother Matt had already struck a plea bargain May 14. He pleaded guilty to negligent homicide, a Class A misdemeanor, and was placed on probation for a year with 80 hours of community service, a $1,500 fine and $170 in costs. He was sentenced like his sister under Act 531 as a first-time offender.
Maxwell Anderson’s family had pressed for prosecution in the case. Family members were present for today’s hearing and made comments afterward indicating unhappiness with the outcome.
Andi Davis’ law license has been in suspension. Rosenzweig said she plans to surrender her law license in light of the felony conviction.