Wife arrested for Briton’s murder

A 28-year-old woman, tagged as the mastermind in the murder of her British husband in 2002, has been apprehended in Zambales province and turned over to the Makati City police station yesterday.

The murder of British national Steven Alston Davis, 32, is now considered a closed case after elements of the Zambales police brought suspect Evelyn Davis to the Makati City police Warrant Section to face the murder charges.

She was apprehended on the strength of a warrant issued by Judge Sixto Marella Jr. of Branch 138 of the Makati City Regional Trial Court.

The wife said she was arrested at her friend’s house in Barangay Panan, Zambales at around 6:30 p.m. of Feb. 17 before she was taken to Makati City. However, she denied that she had been in hiding and that she had a role in her husband’s death.

"In fact, at the start of the court hearing, I tried to follow-up the developments of the case. But when my mother-in-law took my children, who would be turning five and three this year, to England, I lost focus," said Evelyn.

She married Davis in Hong Kong in 1997. He was the proprietor of a company known as Jadecool Internet Management.

Police earlier apprehended the two other suspects identified as Arnold Adoray, branch manager of the Silver Wings Security Agency and a resident of 23-11 Misael street, Diamond Subdivision, Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga; and Alexander Dagami, a security guard, of 1440 Sta. Rosa street, Sta. Maria Subdivision, San Francisco, Mabalacat, Pampanga.

A fourth suspect was identified as Robin Butas, Evelyn’s brother-in-law and a resident of 23-187, 5th street, Friendship Villasol Subdivision, Angeles City. The judge granted a motion to make Butas a state witness after determining "there was no other direct evidence available for the proper prosecution of accused Evelyn Davis except the testimony of accused Robin Butas."

In his sworn statement, Butas, also a Silver Wing security guard, told the court that a week before the murder, he allegedly overheard Evelyn ordering Adoray to kill her husband because they could no longer get along with each other. By doing so, Evelyn and Adora would be able to continue with their affair.

On the evening of July 17, 2002, Evelyn went to Butas’ house and asked him to go with her along with Adoray and Dagami to an undisclosed place. He noticed that the two men had short firearms tucked in their waists.

They arrived at 5968 Fermina street, Barangay Poblacion the following day at around 2:15 a.m. Adoray, using a key, was able to enter the house.

Butas was instructed to stand guard while Adoray turned on a flashlight and proceeded to go inside. Moments later, he heard gunshots and saw Davis covered with blood, raising his arms in surrender.