Dad accused, with son, of trying to kill ex-wife, pleads not guilty (Lawrence, Kansas)

We've posted on dad ARTHUR DAVIS III before. He represents a particularly heinous kind of abuser, the kind who recruits his children into carrying out his agenda.

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2009/sep/18/lawrence-man-accused-son-trying-kill-ex-wife-plead/

Lawrence man accused, with son, of trying to kill ex-wife pleads not guilty
By Jesse Fray

September 18, 2009

A Lawrence man accused of kidnapping and trying to kill his ex-wife in June pleaded not guilty to the crimes Friday, and a judge scheduled the case for a Nov. 30 jury trial, Douglas County Court records said.

Arthur Davis III, 61, faces charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping and contributing to a child’s misconduct in the case.

Davis and his 15-year-old son are accused of breaking into the victim’s Lawrence house early June 16 and trying to kill her by striking her repeatedly with a baseball bat.

In a previous hearing, the victim testified that she and Davis were involved in a heated child custody dispute, stemming from their 1999 divorce.

The couple’s son is also charged with attempted first-degree murder and their 12-year-old daughter faces conspiracy charges for her alleged role in the attack.

The woman was treated at Lawrence Memorial Hospital for multiple cuts to her head, including a 3-to-4-inch laceration to her scalp that had to be stapled shut.

A defense attorney has said the case had nothing to do with Davis, who was in court Friday morning for his arraignment hearing.