Family of slain Middleburg woman shares emotional testimony during killer’s sentencing hearing

The family of Roseann Welsh shared emotional testimony today during the sentencing phase for the man who pleaded guilty to her murder at a home in Middleburg in 2014.

Donald Davidson pleaded guilty to Welsh's murder, the kidnapping of her then 10-year-old daughter and more in May, and now he faces the death penalty, according to court records.

Welsh's son was 13 when he found his mother stabbed and strangled. He spoke in court today about the emotional strain the crimes put on the family.

"I have a large hole in my heart," Welsh's son says. "I just don't understand why this happened to my family and me."

Detectives say Davidson was conditionally released from prison in June 2014, just months before Welsh was killed. They say he cut an ankle monitor at the home and abducted her daughter.

Davidson didn't look up once as the woman's family asked for the death penalty.

"I truly hope now that this will finally be over so that my family and me can start anew," Welsh's son said.

Welsh’s husband, Michael Scott, also spoke in court today. He was childhood friends with Davidson.

“The loss of my wife Roseann has resulted in the loss of my pride, my honor and my dignity,” Scott says.

The penalty phase continues tomorrow at the Clay County Courthouse. Davidson's defense will have the chance to argue he deserves life in prison instead of the death penalty.