Accused Fla. killer warrant didn't show up

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Florida corrections officials say a lack of laptop computers may have contributed to the failure to arrest a parole violator before he allegedly killed a woman.

William Davis, 31, was caught in an Oct. 22 sweep of parole violators in the Orlando area but was not taken into custody despite the fact he had a warrant for his arrest because the officers could not confirm his true identity.

Davis remained locked up Wednesday on charges he kidnapped and strangled 19-year-old Fabiana Malave a week after his earlier contact with officers.

The Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel said Wednesday that Davis gave police a false date of birth during the sweep, which could not be confirmed through a Corrections Dept. fugitive database because the probation officers on the task force did not have laptop computers in their vehicles.

"It was agonizing to know we were so close," said Gretl Plessinger, spokeswoman for the corrections department. "But we didn't know who he was. And we didn't know the heinous crime he was going to commit a week later."

Plessinger said that although it appeared the officers acted appropriately, the incident would be thoroughly investigated.