Demarcus Davis and Roger Rodriguez Sentenced to a Combined 196 Years for the June 27, 2023, Shooting Death of Timothy Kates

February 12, 2025

On February 12, 2025, Judge Angela Warner Sims sentenced Demarcus Davis and Roger Rodriguez to a combined 196 years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction for the June 27, 2023, shooting death of Timothy Kates. A Madison County Circuit Court 1 jury found Demarcus Davis and Roger Rodriguez guilty of Murder, a felony, Felony Murder, a felony, and Armed Robbery, a Level 3 felony, in a joint trial concluding on January 10, 2025. Following the jury's verdict, both Davis and Rodriguez admitted to being Habitual Offenders. 

 

At sentencing, the State presented evidence from Facebook messages which were inadmissible at trial that in the months prior to the murder, Davis and Rodriguez were engaged in purchasing and selling various kinds of narcotics and several firearms. Timiah Kates, the daughter of Timothy Kates, delivered a statement regarding her father, his positive impact on his family and the people around him, as well what the loss has meant for her and her younger siblings.

 

Judge Sims imposed a maximum sentence for Murder of 65 years and a maximum sentence of 16 years for Armed Robbery to be served consecutively for both Davis and Rodriguez. Each Murder conviction was enhanced by an additional 15 years due to their criminal history as Habitual Offenders for a total of 96 years each for both Davis and Rodriguez, all to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction. Demarcus Davis received an additional sanction for a violation on an existing case of an additional 4 years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction for a total sentence of 100 years. 

 

At trial, the State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutor Jennifer Haley and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Andrew Hanna. The case was investigated by Detective Travis Thompson of the Anderson Police Department. Demarcus Davis was represented by Neal Zilliak and Roger Rodriguez was represented by Bryan Williams.

Madison County Prosecutor's Office News

October 28, 2026
On Wednesday, October 27, 2026, a Madison County Circuit Court 3 jury found Malaika Bell (52 of Anderson) guilty of the following offenses: Count 1: Theft, a Level 5 felony; Count 2: Fraud, a Level 5 felony; Count 3: Forgery, a Level 6 felony; Count 4: Obstruction of Justice, a Level 6 felony; Count 5: Obstruction of Justice, a Level 6 felony; and Count 6: Obstruction of Justice, a Level 6 felony. Following the jury's verdict, Judge Andrew Hopper remanded Bell into the custody of the Madison County Sheriff's Department and set sentencing for November 24, 2026 at 8:30 am where Bell faces a maximum possible sentence of 22 years. The State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Gina Koorsen and Jon Jones. The case was investigated by Detective Travis Thompson of the Anderson Police Department.
October 16, 2026
On October 16, 2026, a Madison County Circuit Court 3 jury found Claud Greenlee, II (59 of Anderson) guilty of three counts of Possession of Child Pornography, two counts as Level 5 felonies, and one count as a Level 6 felony. Following the jury's verdict, Judge Andrew Hopper remanded Greenlee into the custody of the Madison County Sheriff's Department and set sentencing for November 18, 2026, at 8:30 am, where he faces a maximum sentence under Indiana law of 8.5 years. At trial, the State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutor Dan Kopp. The case was investigated by Det. Tyler Mitchell of the Hamilton County Metro Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
October 6, 2026
Following a six-day trial, a Madison County Circuit Court II jury found Rejon Smith (18 of Centralia, Illinois) guilty of the following offenses related to the February 2, 2025 shooting death of 26-year-old Dayla Swain outside of Sonny Ray's in Anderson: Count I: Murder, a Felony; Count II: Attempted Murder, a Level 1 felony; Count III: Conspiracy to Commit Murder, a Level 2 felony; Count IV: Dangerous Possession of a Firearm, a Class A misdemeanor; and Count V: Criminal Organization Activity. Following the jury's verdict in the initial phase of the trial, additional evidence was presented, and the jury also found Smith guilty of the Criminal Organization Enhancement. Judge David Happe set Smith's sentencing for November 10, 2026 at 8:30 am where he faces a maximum possible sentence of 176 years. The State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Tyler Piraino and Jesse Miller. The case was investigated by Det. Brett Webb and Det. Cora Garcia of the Anderson Police Department. So far, Smith is the 5th of 9 charged defendants for two separate, but related, murders:  Charged with the death of Jullian Craig: Donavan Harris (sentenced to 60 years) Charged with the death of Dayla Swain: Completed: Rashawn Darrius Samuels (sentenced to 125 years) Jo'Majze Dayshon Larry (sentenced to 100 years) Kyree M. Craver (sentenced to 90 years) Rejon Smith (sentencing scheduled for 11/10/26) Remaining: Javeayon Markeese Johnson (jury trial scheduled 1/11/27) Javeaian Michael Johnson (jury trial scheduled 1/11/27) Ja'Brawll Thomas (jury trial scheduled 11/13/26) Geno Gykarius Moffett (remains wanted on warrant)
September 18, 2026
On Friday, September 18, 2026, Judge David Happe sentenced Matthew Deprez (41 of Elwood) to an aggregate sentence of twenty (20) years with seventeen (17) years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction and three (3) years suspended to Reporting Probation. The Court also ordered Deprez to register as a sex offender for life and found Deprez to be a sexually violent predator. On August 21, 2026, a Madison County Circuit Court IV jury found Deprez guilty of two counts of Child Molest as Level 4 felonies. Under Indiana law, a Level 4 felony carries a possible sentence of 2-12 years. At trial, the State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Grainne Kao and Tyler Piraino. The case was investigated by Det. Caitlin Morency of the Madison County Sheriff's Department.
September 11, 2026
On Friday, September 11, 2026, Judge Mark Dudley sentenced Daniel Manning (39 of Anderson) to a total sentence of fifty (50) years with forty (40) years executed at the Indiana Department of Correction and ten (10) years suspended to probation. The Court also ordered Manning to register as a sex offender for life and found Manning to be a sexually violent predator. On August 14, 2026, Manning pleaded guilty as charged pursuant to a plea agreement to two counts of Child Molesting, Level 1 felonies, two counts of Child Molesting, Level 4 felonies, two counts of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, Level 4 felonies, and two counts of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, level 5 felonies. The State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutor Dan Kopp. The case was investigated by Det. Matt Kopp of the Anderson Police Department.
More Posts