Klaas Killer’s Sister Tells of Woeful Past

The sister of Richard Allen Davis tearfully came to his defense Tuesday, describing his childhood as fractured in an effort to persuade jurors that he does not deserve to die for the murder of Polly Klaas.

Darlene Schwarm, the youngest of five Davis children, continued the litany of childhood woes begun by previous defense witnesses, describing one incident in which Davis had his jaw broken by a punch from his angry father.

Through it all, Schwarm and Davis developed a bond that is still strong. “He’s the only one in my family I have left,” she said.

Davis, 42, was convicted June 18 of killing 12-year-old Polly after kidnapping her from her bedroom. Jurors are deciding whether he should die for the crime or be sentenced to life in prison without parole.

He was the third child of Robert and Evelyn Davis, who had a stormy marriage and divorced in the 1960s. Robert Davis gained custody of the children.

Tuesday, Schwarm testified that Richard Davis’ jaw was broken by a punch from his father. She said when her sister, Patricia, the elder by two years, died at age 9, Evelyn Davis came to the funeral but did not speak to or comfort the young Darlene.

Schwarm recalled her father as a hard man who would be away at work all week, but she seemed most affected by the rift left by her distant mother.

“I called her once when I was 12 years old, and she told me I was my father’s problem,” Schwarm said.