PORT ANGELES — The courtroom stood still Monday as jurors, friends and family of Sheriff’s Deputy Wally Davis heard a 9-1-1 tape reporting Davis’ death two years ago.
Peninsula Communications dispatcher Deb Homan wiped tears from her eyes on the witness stand as her voice on the tape called repeatedly for Davis’ badge number across the airwaves:
“140 security check. 140 county, status check.
“We have an officer down.”
The tape and Homan’s testimony were part of the first day of the trial of Thomas Martin Roberts, 56, who is charged with aggravated first-degree murder in the Aug. 5, 2000, shooting death of Davis.
Davis’ daughter, Jessie Davis, 17, put her head down and sobbed as her father’s best friend and former deputy, Matt Dalton, kept a sullen face throughout the tape.
Davis’ widow and Dalton’s fiancee, Lisa Davis, left the courtroom before the afternoon session.
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Full coverage of Monday’s opening day in the murder trial appears in the Tuesday Peninsula Daily News. Click on SUBSCRIBE to follow the PDN’s exclusive trial coverage.