Middleburg man faces death penalty, after pleading guilty to 2014 murder, sexual battery

Jacksonville, FL — It's a bizarre twist in a disturbing Middleburg case.

Donald Davidson Jr. has pleaded guilty to charges of first-degree murder, attempted sexual battery on a victim over 12-years-old, four counts of sexual battery on a victim under 12-years-old, lewd or lascivious molestation, kidnapping, and grand theft auto.

That's according to State Attorney Melissa Nelson, who says Davidson waived his right to a jury trial for the guilt and penalty phases.

Davidson does face the possibility of the death penalty for these crimes.

During court Wednesday, Davidson’s attorney, Mark Wright, said he was in uncharted waters as his client pleaded guilty.

“He has advised me that he wants to get this over with. He doesn’t want to put the victims through this, in particular the children,” said Wright.

The charges against Davidson all stemmed from December 1, 2014.

Investigators say Davidson entered a Middleburg home and strangled and stabbed a young mother, Rosanne Welsh, killing her. Davidson was said to have know her husband since childhood.

Several hours after that, investigators say Welsh's son returned home, but Davidson told him to leave. When Welsh’s son did finally return, investigators say he found his mother's body and realized his younger sister was missing.

When law enforcement arrived, Welsh's daughter was spotted running nearby. She told investigators that she was home during her mother's murder, but didn't know what was happening.

Investigators say Davidson approached the young girl and sexually battered her in the home and used the family van to kidnap her. Investigators say he then drove her around Clay County, before eventually dropping her off at her home.

Davidson was later caught by deputies driving on Blanding Boulevard.

Following his arrest, the sheriff's office says Davidson admitted to planning and attempting to sexually assault Welsh in her home.

The public information officer for the Clay County Sheriff's Office, Chris Padgett, says he was one of the detectives in this case and that it still brings him to tears to think about that day and the interview with the victim's son.

"We sat and talked Star Wars, Captain America and Marvel movies. He knew he’d never see his mother again and felt as though he should have done more for her and his sister. We must all remember him and his family, as the only thing that overcomes such evil doings is the kindness that human beings are more capable and prone to give for those in need," says Padgett.

A judge will oversee the penalty hearing for Davidson. That has been set for the week of June 10, 2019.

The State Attorney's Office tells us because it is a death penalty case, there still needs to a penalty phase prior to sentencing.