Punish California Man Accused Of Murdering Shelter Volunteer And Killing Her Two Senior Dogs

Published: September 13, 2021 at 03:45 AM Author: PENNY EIMS

Sacramento, CA – During the first week of September, an unthinkable crime claimed the life of a beloved shelter volunteer and her two senior dogs, Molly and Jenny. The man accused of violently stealing their lives is identified as 51-year-old Troy Davis.

The accusations against Davis are truly appalling; he is accused of breaking into 61-year-old Mary “Kate” Tibbitts home on September 3, sexually assaulting her, and then murdering her and her two senior dogs. Davis allegedly proceeded to burn down Tibbitts’ home.

And there is more… ABC 10 News reported that “a screenshot of home security footage shared on social media shows Davis apparently masturbating on a neighbor’s front porch.”

If the crime was not despicable enough, there is more…Troy Davis was “released from prison following felony convictions in 2017 and 2018 for assault with a deadly weapon and robbery,” reported KRCR News. And in June, he was released from jail in an auto theft case on “zero bail.”

Vern Pierson, president of the California District Attorneys Association (CDAA) said, “None of these appalling crimes would likely have occurred had this person been behind bars where he belonged.”

The Sacramento SPCA is mourning Tibbitts’ death. The animal welfare agency alerted Facebook followers of her untimely demise, writing:

It is with a heavy heart that we share news of the recent death of Kate Tibbitts, a long-time Sacramento SPCA volunteer and lover of old dogs and good books.

Adding:

Last month, Kate marked 25 years as a Sacramento SPCA volunteer. She joined us in August 1996, primarily to work with the book sales. But she became so much more.
Kate was a foster parent and a dog walker/socializer. Long-time staff and volunteers will remember her for making sure each dog she encountered received the best care possible.

Mary Kate Tibbetts’ death should have never happened because this man should have been BEHIND BARS for his prior crimes. This brutal crime happened because Troy Davis’ prior crimes were not treated with the seriousness that they deserved – he should have still been BEHIND BARS.

Enough is enough. The time for second (and third and fourth) chances has ended. Please add your name to the petition. Mary “Kate” Tibbetts, and her beloved dogs, Molly and Jenny, deserve justice.

Troy Davis is facing multiple charges, including homicide, assault with intent to commit rape, malicious maiming of animals, and arson. The time has come for this man to pay for his horrible behavior – please sign today! Your signatures (and comments) will be sent to court officials along with our letter demanding that this man be held fully accountable for each and every charge that he is facing.

Suspects are presumed innocent until being found guilty in a court of law.

News

KCRA News

Fox 40

ABC 10

KRCR

Update 4/1/2025: Animal Victory sent petition to the DA with updated signatures. 

Update 2/26/2025: Next scheduled date is 4/4/2025  for a settlement conference. This case has not yet gone to trial.  Davis has pled not guilty as of 11/08/2024. Case # 21FE015240

Update 10/16/2023: The next hearing for Troy Davis is on 11/15/2023 at 9:00 a.m. in Department 47. According to Prosecutor Matthew Chisolm, the upcoming court date will be a preliminary hearing, where he will present evidence before the judge and request to proceed directly to trial.

Animal Victory is waiting for a call back from Prosecutor Matthew Chisholm’s office to determine what type of hearing this is. 

Update 5/11/2023: The Pre-lim is set for 9/29/2023 at 9 am in Dept. 40.

Update 3/14/2022: Animal Victory sent a cover letter and petition to the judge. 

Update 2/20/2022: Animal Victory has learned that a settlement conference is scheduled for 3/20/2023 at 8:30 a.m., Dept. 61. 

Update 12/2/2022: Animal Victory has learned that court is set for 01/20/2023 at 8:30 a.m., in department 61.

Update 8/31/2022: The next scheduled court date is November 4, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. 

Davis_ Troy

Update 6/20/2022: The Sacramento District Attorney’s Office announced on Friday that they will be seeking the death penalty for 52-year-old Troy Davis. Animal Victory has sent 20,004 signatures to Attorney Matt Chisholm. He has assured us he will submit the letter and signatures to the court for consideration.

Update 6/15/2022: Animal Victory has learned that the settlement conference is now scheduled to take place on 8/12/2022 at 8:30 am.

Update 4/07/2022: Animal Victory has learned that the settlement conference was continued to 6/20/2022.

Update 2/01/2022: Animal Victory has learned that the settlement conference was continued to March 7, 2022, at 9 a.m. (It’s our understanding in a settlement conference, a judge or volunteer attorney assists the parties by evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the case and attempting to negotiate a settlement of the dispute, but without making any decisions or orders in the case. Settlement conferences may be either mandatory (court-ordered) or voluntary. Mandatory settlement conferences are often held close to the date a case is set for trial.)

Update 11/08/2021: Animal Victory has learned that the Settlement conference was continued to 12/08/2021.

Update 10/28/2021: District Attorney Matt Chisholm has informed Animal Victory that our petition has been received and he assured us that it will be used for this sentencing in this case. According to DA Chisholm, it will be quite a while before the sentencing stage. We will continue to stay in touch with the district attorney as the case works its way through the court system.

Update 10/26/2021: Please see the reply that Animal Victory received from the Office of the Mayor.

Update: 10/19/2021: Court is currently scheduled to occur on October 22.

Animal Victory has sent the petition letter along with your signatures to the following:

• Prosecuting attorney Matthew Chisholm
• DA Annmarie Shubert
• Councilmember Katie Valenzuela
• Vern Pierson- President of CA District Attorneys
• Governor Gavin Newsom

Petition letter

Animal-Protection-Laws-of-California-2020-Animal-Legal-Defense-Fund

Prior Signatures 25,572