Davis found guilty in deaths of Horn couple

BY CHUCK VANDENBERG
PCC EDITOR

LEE COUNTY - A Donnellson man has been found guilty of two counts of homicide in the deaths of Michael and Linda Horn, also of Donnellson.

On Friday, February 18, 2022 Chad Ray Davis, 55, pleaded guilty as charged to two Counts of Homicide by Vehicle While Operating Under the Influence, both Class B Felonies under Iowa law.

Davis now faces sentencing on the convictions, which are each punishable by up to 25 years in prison, for his involvement in the traffic accident on Highway 2, east of Donnellson on August 4, 2020. According to reports from the accident, Davis was driving a pickup truck and struck the Horns from behind. Michael Horn was driving a motorcycle with Linda seated behind him as a passenger on the vehicle.

Sentencing is set for April 15, 2022. If ordered concurrent, Davis will be sentenced to up to 25 years within the Iowa Department of Corrections. If ordered consecutive he could face a 50-year indeterminate sentence.

He remains in custody at the Lee County Correctional Center pending sentencing.
The Iowa State Patrol and the Lee County Sheriff’s Department were the responding and investigating agencies.

The matter is being prosecuted by Lee County Attorney Ross Braden.