Treat fit to stand trial in Fayetteville death

FAYETTEVILLE — A man charged with murder in the beating death of a woman is fit to proceed to trial, according to doctors at the Arkansas State Hospital.

Christopher Lee Treat, 32, is charged with accomplice to capital murder in the killing of Victoria Annabeth Davis on Aug. 19, 2015. Police said Davis, 24, of 433 S. Hill Ave., was held captive at her house for hours and beaten by her husband, John Davis, and four others, including Treat.

Doctors at the state hospital examined Treat in November and determined he suffers from a mental defect, a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with a seizure disorder and borderline personality disorder. But, they said he has the capacity to understand the proceedings against him and assist in his defense. The report was filed Friday in Washington County Circuit Court.

Treat’s next court appearance is set for Feb. 28 before Judge Mark Lindsay.

John Davis, 29, pleaded guilty in December to being an accomplice to first-degree murder. He was sentenced to 37 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction.

The other defendants are Mark Edward Chumley, 48; Rebecca Lloyd, 38; and, Desire Amber Treat, 31. All are charged with accomplice to capital murder. All are being held without bond at the Washington County Detention Center.

Treat