Former California candidate for governor is investigated in killing

<p>Prosecutors in Atlanta are backing off statements made by police that a former candidate in California's recall election for governor is about to be arrested on suspicion of murder.</p><p>During a press conference in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, an Atlanta Police Department investigator said police were about to arrest Scott Winfield Davis. But Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard in Atlanta on Wednesday distanced his office from the police department's remarks.</p><p>However, Howard was planning to announce "a development we hope may lead to an arrest," said Erik Friedly, Howard's spokesman. But "no arrest is imminent" in the case, Friedly said.</p><p>"Our people were out in California where Scott Davis lives. We're working different aspects of the investigation and we remain hopeful that we will be able to move forward sooner rather than later. But I would not want to characterize that in any way that there's an arrest imminent," Friedly said.</p><p>Atlanta Police Sgt. Rick Chambers announced Tuesday at Palo Alto City Hall that Davis, a self-employed software consultant who dropped out of the 2003 race for governor, was going to be arrested for his possible involvement in the death of his estranged wife's lover.</p><p>Davis said that he is "absolutely 100 percent innocent. I just think the police are here to harass me."</p><p>Davis was charged with murder in Atlanta more than eight years ago, accused of killing Atlanta businessman David Coffin Jr. and setting his home and Porsche afire. Although the charges were dropped for lack of evidence, Davis remained the lead suspect in the 1996 killing.</p><p>According to prosecutors and newspaper reports, Coffin was romantically involved with Davis' wife, who had filed for divorce three months before Coffin's death.</p><p>Chambers said the investigation heated up three months ago after detectives uncovered new evidence. He said police still need more information to solidify their case.</p><p>"We just want some more information," Chambers said. "We could make an arrest at this point, but we're trying to get one last bit of information. If we don't get the information, he should still be arrested by the end of spring."</p><p>Chambers did not say what information police were seeking or what new evidence they had found.</p><p>"I've proven in the past that I was at work during some of these crimes. There is no real evidence tying me to these things. I just want to move on with my life. I have no idea what's going on," Davis said.</p>

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