RUSHVILLE, Ind. (WTHR) - The father who started a relentless fight for justice following the 1968 killing of his daughter in Martinsville has died.
Paul Davis passed away in his hometown of Rushville Friday. He was 90 years old.
Davis’ stepdaughter Carol Jenkins was stabbed to death in September 1968 as she went door-to-door selling encyclopedias. The young black woman’s death contributed to Martinsville being cast for decades as a racially intolerant town.
Just last November, the mayor decided to take bold steps to change that. The city issued Davis and his family an apology and vowed to move forward to build better race relations.
13 Investigates Reporter Sandra Chapman was a speaker at the event. In 2002, she worked with Davis and his family to help bring about the only arrest in Carol’s murder case.
The suspect, 70-year-old Kenny Richmond, died before he could stand trial.
Indiana State Police said Richmond admitted to the crime.
Paul Davis will be remembered next Saturday at 11 a.m. at Moster Mortuary in Rushville. Visitation is Friday at Wesley United Methodist Church from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.