Man convicted of murder, rape sentenced to death in Florida

MIDDLEBURG, Fla. – A Florida man has been sentenced to death for the murder of a 35-year-old woman and the sexual assault of her young daughter.

The State Attorney's Office in Jacksonville announced Wednesday that Donald Hugh Davidson Jr. had waived his right to a jury trial after pleading guilty to charges of first-degree murder, attempted sexual battery on a child over 12, lewd and lascivious molestation, kidnapping and grand theft.

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State Attorney Melissa Nelson says the case "shocked the conscience of Clay County."

Prosecutors said Davidson entered Roseann Welsh's Middleburg home and strangled and stabbed her. Davidson is a registered sex offender. He sexually assaulted Welsh's child and kidnapped her in the family's van. He later dropped her off at home.

The Florida Times-Union reports Davidson knew Welsh's husband.