Charge Dropped Against Fairbanks Man Deemed Incompetent for Trial in Grandmother’s Death

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTUU) – Brian Davenport, a 29-year-old man from Fairbanks, has had his first-degree murder charge dismissed. This decision came after a judge ruled that he is incompetent to stand trial for allegedly fatally shooting his 87-year-old grandmother, Velma Koontz, in January. The dismissal was entered on October 8, following a contested competency hearing that took place on October 5.

Davenport had been held at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute in Anchorage. During his previous hearing on October 2, prosecutors disputed an earlier evaluation stating he could not be restored to competency and asked for an additional restoration period. Court records indicate that findings regarding his competency were documented on October 5, leading to the dismissal of the case shortly after. Police reported that Davenport confessed to using his grandfather’s handgun to shoot Koontz, likening the act to ‘pulling the plug’ so she could ‘go peacefully.’