PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Family members of Robert Davis, the man accused of killing Philadelphia journalist, activist and former city employee Josh Kruger, are calling on the District Attorney’s Office to release more evidence about the victim.
“Why hasn’t Josh Kruger’s phone and computer data been released to the public?” said Damica Davis, speaking to reporters on Thursday as her son awaits a pretrial hearing next week. He is charged with murder and firearms offenses, stemming from Kruger’s death on Oct. 2, 2023. Robert Davis, 20, is due in court on Monday.
“Instead of providing us with the evidence, they rather just lock my son up for 15 to 30 years, and close the case, and not even do any kind of investigation.”
It is unclear what evidence Davis’ family wants prosecutors to reveal. The District Attorney’s Office has declined to comment on the case, which it is actively investigating.
Court records allege Kruger and Robert Davis had been in a relationship, which the family said started when Davis was in his teens.
“At the time he was about 15, 16,” said Davis’ brother, Quran.
Police say Davis shot Kruger several times in Kruger’s Point Breeze home in October. Officers found Kruger on the sidewalk outside his home. He later died at the hospital. He was 39 years old.
Kruger was a journalist and advocate for LGBTQ communities, people experiencing homelessness, and people struggling with drug addiction. He worked as a spokesperson for the city’s Office of Homeless Services from 2016 to 2021.
Davis’ family say the defendant is struggling with mental health issues and drug addiction and he needs help more than he needs prison.
Davis is also charged with an unrelated attempted robbery and assault in September, during which police say he fired a gun, at the Tasker-Morris Station on SEPTA’s Broad Street Line.