As trial begins, man faces death in rape, slaying of car-lot employee
Jury selection began Monday in Sanford in the murder trial of William Roger Davis III, whois charged with abducting a car-lot employee, driving her to his home in Orange County, then raping and killing her.
Davis, 33, faces the death penalty, and the trial is expected to last two weeks. Prosecutors said it will likely take more than two days to seat a jury, meaning opening arguments likely won’t occur until Wednesday or Thursday.
Fabiana Malave was abducted at knifepoint Oct. 29, 2009, from a car lot near Longwood, where she worked part time.
The 19-year-old was found dead in the back of a sport utility vehicle sold to Davis a few days earlier. She had been choked to death, an autopsy found.
When Malave’s body was found, her head was inside a plastic bag and her body was hidden under a blanket. Davis had bought the vehicle, a 1986 Toyota 4Runner, from the car lot where she worked.
According to deputies, Davis told them he forced Malave into her 1997 Mazda, drove her to where he had stashed the SUV — a few blocks away at the Post Time Lounge — then put her in the SUV and drove to his home. The Mazda was found parked next to the SUVAT the Post Time. Inside the Mazda were Malave’s purse, driver’s license and passport.
After he killed her, Davis put her body back in the SUV and drove around Orange and Seminole counties for several hours, he told authorities.
Davis had walked into the dealership about 11:30 a.m. that day, asking for the title to the SUV, according to prosecution records.
Rosa Isela Hernandez, the wife of the owner, told Malave by phone not to give it to Davis but to wait and let her hand it over. Malave and Davis were not at the lot when she arrived.