Woman Sentenced in Bloomington Stabbing Murder Case

Bloomington, IN- Jodie L. Reeves was sentenced this morning to 25 years in prison for the stabbing and killing of Gene Davis. The 28-year-old Bloomington woman plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter in her trial last month.

Before the sentencing hearing began, Judge Harper addressed both families explaining that both are facing loss and that there is a need for mutual respect between the families.

Testimonies from Reeves family members, including her grandmother, aunt and live-in boyfriend resonated that Reeves is a kind hearted person that had an unstable childhood, family history of mental disorders and addiction, was raped in the military and turned to crack cocaine for help.

Reeves’ grandmother stated that her granddaughter, “is no different from any other girl.” Reeves’ aunt explained that she saw a “fogginess” in her niece after the incident, and through her letters from jail, she has seen clarity come to Reeves. Her aunt believed that this clarity is from the absence of drugs.

The victim’s family member were also present, and Davis’ girlfriend and mother of his five children explained that they had been together for over 30 years and for those years they each struggled with addiction to crack cocaine.

When asked what sentence she felt would be appropriate for Reeves, Davis’ girlfriend replied she did not know. “I give it to God. It’s too big for me,” she stated.

All members of the families were in agreement that if it were not for crack cocaine, Davis would still be alive. However, as the prosecutor reminded all, Davis, “isn’t alive, he’s dead.” He also added that Davis never killed for his addiction, but Reeves did. He stated that there is no justification, “for killing another human being.”

Reeves wept as she read her statement in which she apologized to the victim’s family as well as her own for the grief she caused them. She explained that she takes full responsibility for what she did and that while in prison she plans to take advantage of a recovery facility as well as educational classes.

After weighing all criminal and mitigating circumstances, such as Reeves’ age, lack of a previous criminal record and family history, Judge Harper sentenced Reeves to 25 years in prison. Four of those years can be suspended to probation and one year has already been served by Reeves since she was arrested in March of 2008. Indiana’s good-time provision will give two days of credit for every day served in jail if Reeves abides by prison rules. Therefore Reeves will likely serve less than ten years.