Plainfield Man Confesses To Killing 77-year-old To Help Him 'get Back On His Feet'.

A Plainfield man pled guilty but mentally ill on the second day of his trial for the murder of a 77-year-old woman in 2024 at an Indianapolis mobile home community.

Zakii Dawson will turn 21 only 10 days before his March 4 sentencing in Marion Superior Court 21. He is anticipated to receive a 45-year prison sentence.

Dawson, who was 18 at the time of his arrest, was charged with the murder of Mary Sims. According to a news release issued Tuesday by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, she agreed to let Dawson stay in her home “to help him get back on his feet.”

“The night before the murder, he was removed from the residence and told not to return after a disturbance in which he destroyed property and assaulted Sims,” the release said.

On January 12, 2024, at about 5:30 p.m., the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department was summoned to a home in the 2900 block of Landola Lane. That’s the Lake of the Pines mobile home development for persons aged 55 and over. It’s off South Lynhurst Drive, just south of the I-70 overpass on Indianapolis’ southwest side.

Sims’ granddaughter entered the house before phoning police and saw indications of a struggle as well as the odor of bleach. The granddaughter was unable to locate Sims but did uncover Dawson hiding behind a door.

Sims was later discovered dead on the floor of a restroom in the back bedroom. According to investigators, the 77-year-old was handcuffed and wearing a plastic bag over her head. She has also experienced severe trauma.

“During an interview with investigators, Dawson admitted he knew he was not permitted to return to the home. He acknowledged handcuffing Sims, wrapping her head in plastic, knowing the location of knives inside the residence, and attempting to clean the scene with bleach or another cleaner. Investigators also observed Dawson had multiple injuries to his hands and blood on his clothing,” the release said.

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears highlighted the kindness Sims had given to Dawson before her death. “It takes a special kind of person to open their home to someone in a time of need. Mary and her family should be remembered as good, kind people who did not deserve this unimaginable tragedy.”