2 women convicted in slaying of one’s husband

Paul Barker, a New Orleans attorney representing two women who were convicted here in 2012 on charges of second-degree murder, told Judge David Ritchie Friday in state district court that he wants an evidentiary hearing regarding 23 items of evidence he claims the state did not disclose at trial.

Robyn Little Davis and Carol Noland “Sissy” Saltzman were found guilty at trial of the murder of Brian Davis, whose body was found in June, 2009 at the end of Wagon Wheel Road in south Lake Charles, after he had been missing for four days.

Davis was shot four times and prosecutors said the scene was staged to look like the victim was robbed while changing a tire.

Rick Bryant prosecuted the case for the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office and he said at the time that the two women, working together, lured the victim to the scene to kill him for reasons including money, anger and opportunity.

“He had an affair, she (Robyn Davis) caught him in the affair, and confronted him about it,” Bryant said. “She had no money at all and yet she was out gambling and playing video poker. Also, the insurance proceeds. He had over $700,000 in insurance. Saltzman was her friend. She and Robyn Davis were joined at the hip.”

In court Friday, prosecutor Ross Murray said he had looked at the list of 23 items and at first glance already found that 11 items had been disclosed.

“I believe the easiest and most straightforward thing to do would be to ask the sheriff’s office, evidence custodian, and detective Brent Young what evidence was submitted,” Murray said. “Young could testify as to what was turned in as evidence or discovery. I just think that’s the most practical thing to do.”

But Barker wants all of the prosecutors who were involved in the case at the time of trial to get subpoenas and testify at a future hearing regarding the evidence. He said he has about a dozen witnesses he plans to call in to testify as well.

Judge David Ritchie granted Barker’s motion seeking the hearing and said subpoenas can be issued to the prosecutors who were involved at trial, including Cynthia Killingsworth, Bryant, and Carla Sigler. Since the trial, Bryant and Sigler have gone into private practice together.

At trial, the defendants were represented by Glen Vamvoras and Shane Hinch.

Davis and Saltzman are serving life sentences at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women in St. Gabriel.

The U.S. Supreme Court in 2014 declined to hear their appeals.

Both women were in court Friday for the motion presented by their attorney. Saltzman was in a wheelchair but there was no word as to the reason for that. Their attorney wanted to meet with both of them immediately following court but that request was denied and deputies escorted them out to be transported back to the women’s prison.

The evidentiary hearing has been set for April 3 in state district court before Judge David Ritchie.