Trial set for Northern Nevada man held in brother’s death
RENO -- A June trial date has been set for a Reno-area man charged in the shooting death of his younger brother during an argument over a phone.
Robert Geoffrey Davis, 48, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Wednesday before Washoe District Judge Robert Perry, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported.
A justice of the peace earlier this month ruled there was sufficient evidence for Davis to stand trial for the Sept. 10 shooting death of Matthew Garret Davis, 43, at the brothers' home in Mogul just west of Reno.
During a preliminary hearing, neighbors and sheriff's deputies recounted incidents of domestic violence between the siblings.
Hours before the shooting, Robert Davis called 911 to report his brother had battered him and stolen his phone, authorities said.
After deputies arrived, Matthew Davis would not come out of the home and threatened to kill the officers with an AK-47. He then asked them to shoot him. Matthew Davis had been diagnosed with mental health issues and was prescribed anti-psychotic medications, according to earlier testimony.
Deputies had separated the brothers while pursuing an arrest warrant against Matthew Davis. Robert Davis was warned not to return home because it was not safe.
