Louisiana Man Claiming to be God Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder of Neighbor

Mar. 15, 2025

Jerry Gelpi.Photo:Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office

Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office

A Louisiana man has been sentenced to life plus 40 years in prison for the brutal stabbing of his ailing neighbor he claimed was a “demon.”

Jerry Gelpi, 42, was convicted of first-degree murder and obstruction of justice in the Feb. 2021 death of 68-year-old Charles Davis.

“Mr. Gelpi, you’re going where you deserve to be,” 24th Judicial District Court Judge Frank Brindisi told Gelpi during sentencing, the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s office said in a Friday, Oct. 11news release. “You accused this man of being a demon. You were the only demon that day.”

According to prosecutors, Davis, a forklift driver, was still suffering from a battle with COVID-19 and was “severely weakened” and required oxygen at the time of the killing.

Prosecutors said Gelpi, who lived in the apartment below Davis’s, entered Davis’s apartment on Feb. 8, 2021 and attacked him in the bathroom.

During the struggle, Gelpi stabbed Davis in the neck, knocking the sink off the wall.

“Davis was either pushed or fell into the bathtub, where Gelpi continued to stab him – in all, at least 16 times,” prosecutors said.

Davis’s daughter found his body curled in the fetal position in the bathtub on the morning of Feb. 9, 2021, according to prosecutors.

His wallet was missing, prosecutors said.

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Gelpi’s DNA was allegedly later found under Davis’s fingernails and on the kitchen faucet Gelpi used to wash his hands after the attack. Investigators also allegedly discovered internet searches on Gelpi’s computer about knife fighting and stabbing people in their kidneys, hearts and lungs, prosecutors said.

A jury deliberated for less than 30 minutes before finding Gelpi guilty, according toNOLA.com.

Gelpi’s defense attorney could not be reached for comment.

source: people.com