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September 13, 2006

Update: Suspect in Woonsocket girl's murder held / Photo

Journal photo / Bob Breidenbach
Joshua Davis, center, stands before Judge Jeffrey A. Lanphear today, with defense lawyer John Hardiman of the Public Defender's Office at left, and prosecutor Bethany Macktaz of the Attorney General's Office at right.

PROVIDENCE -- A 21-year-old Woonsocket man was ordered held without bail today during his arraignment on charges that he kidnapped, molested and murdered an 8-year-old neighbor in May.

Joshua A. Davis, 21, of 564 Coe St. No. 2, pleaded not guilty in Superior Court to one count of murder, one count of first-degree child molestation and one count of kidnapping a minor.

An indictment returned Aug. 25 alleges that on or about May 7, Davis murdered Savannah Smith, in Cranston. Davis has been in custody since the Woonsocket police arrested him May 8 on a murder charge.

The prosecution will seek a sentence of life in prison without parole if Davis is convicted, Bethany Mactaz, an assistant attorney general, said in court.

Members of Savannah Smith's family attended the brief arraignment.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Cynthia Needham

Posted by Jack Perry  at 4:32 PM | Permalink

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