Prosecutors say a sentence of about 45 years is expected in the 2024 killing on Indianapolis’ southwest side.
INDIANAPOLIS — A Plainfield man has pleaded guilty but mentally ill in the killing of 77-year-old Mary Sims, who was found dead Jan. 12, 2024, inside her home near South Lynhurst Drive and West Troy Avenue on the city’s southwest side, court officials said this week.
Prosecutors said the plea means the defendant, identified as Zakii Dawson, admits to the crime while the court recognizes documented mental illness. The case returns to a judge for sentencing and placement decisions that can include mental health treatment while in state custody. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office has indicated a sentence in the range of 45 years. The plea follows a yearlong court process that began with Dawson’s arrest in January 2024 after police responded to a disturbance call and found Sims unresponsive. The agreement spares a jury trial but leaves open questions about treatment conditions and exact time to be served.
Police were dispatched about 5:30 p.m. Jan. 12, 2024, to the 2900 block of Landola Lane for a disturbance. Inside the residence, officers found Sims with signs of trauma and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Court filings outlined statements made to investigators after Dawson was taken into custody later that night. Family members told detectives Sims had recently allowed him to stay at the home before asking him to leave. “Mary did everything right and opened her door to help,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said in a statement after the plea. “Her family and community deserve accountability.”
The residence sits in a 55-and-older community where neighbors described Sims as friendly and active. Case documents said the interior showed disarray consistent with a struggle. According to those filings, detectives collected clothing with apparent blood and photographed injuries on Dawson’s hands after his arrest. A granddaughter had gone to check on Sims earlier that day and reported finding rooms in disorder before calling police. Investigators also documented household items with cleaning agents nearby. Officials have not publicly released a full autopsy narrative; the coroner previously ruled the death a homicide.
Guilty but mentally ill is a plea recognized in Indiana law. Under state code, a defendant who is guilty but mentally ill is sentenced as guilty, but the Department of Correction must provide psychiatric or psychological care as clinically indicated. Judges typically order placement evaluations before finalizing where treatment occurs. The designation is distinct from a verdict of not responsible by reason of insanity, which is rare and generally results in commitment to a state hospital rather than prison. In this case, the plea sets up a sentencing hearing where both sides can present expert opinions on treatment needs.
Next in the case, the court will calendar a sentencing hearing and consider a pre-sentence investigation. The judge can order mental health evaluations, hear victim impact statements, and decide on credit for time served since Dawson’s arrest in January 2024. Prosecutors said the expected sentence is about 45 years under the agreement, subject to the judge’s approval. A written sentencing order will outline treatment requirements and custody placement following intake. Any later modification or transfer for medical care would require court approval and updates from correctional staff.
Neighbors left flowers outside Sims’ home after the plea announcement, and relatives described her as a steady presence who hosted Sunday dinners. “Mary loved her family and her neighborhood,” said a family representative outside the courthouse. One neighbor said the case has weighed on the community for more than a year, adding, “We just want peace for her family and for this street.” Court officers said notices will be sent to interested parties with the date of the sentencing hearing once it is set.
As of Thursday, the plea had been entered and the court awaited scheduling of a sentencing date. Officials said they expect a hearing within the coming weeks, with a final order to follow after arguments on treatment and custody placement.
Author note: Last updated February 6, 2026.