photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World

Robert Earl Davis addresses his defense attorney, Branden Smith, at a hearing on Oct. 16, 2023, in Douglas County District Court.

A man who fatally stabbed a 66-year-old Lawrence resident and seriously injured his dog outside a grocery store was convicted Friday of voluntary manslaughter and cruelty to animals.

Robert Earl Davis, 58, was originally charged with first-degree murder in the Aug. 18, 2021, death of Daniel Evan Brooks outside the Dillons grocery store at 1015 W. 23rd St., where police said they found him holding a knife. But four years after the killing and multiple periods in which he was deemed incompetent to stand trial, Davis pleaded no contest on Friday to the lesser offense of voluntary manslaughter and cruelty to animals.

Brooks’ dog, Bear, survived the knife attack but has since died after being adopted. Brooks’ obituary said that he “showered attention” on Bear and that the two were “inseparable.”

photo by: Lawrence Humane Society

Bear, a dog injured in a stabbing incident that killed his owner in Lawrence on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, rests in the grass during a walk the next day. The Lawrence Humane Society said he was expected to recover from his injuries.

Davis’ address at the time of his arrest was listed in the jail booking log as the Lawrence Community Shelter at 3655 E. 25th St. He has been in custody since his arrest on a bond of $750,000. His sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 12.

Davis was previously convicted of multiple violent crimes in 1983. As the Journal-World reported when Davis came up for parole in 2004, Davis pleaded no contest to aggravated battery, rape and aggravated assault. He was charged in the following incidents: a robbery at knifepoint on Jan. 27, 1983; a rape, sodomy and robbery on Jan. 30, 1983; and an assault on Feb. 7, 1983.

The victims told police their attacker wore a ski mask. Davis, who was 16 at the time, admitted committing the crimes shortly after he was taken into custody. Davis was discharged from prison in 2012.

Additionally, Davis was convicted of aggravated battery in 2017. According to Douglas County court records, he was sentenced to 21 months of confinement and was released from supervision in March 2019. Two years later he fatally stabbed Brooks.