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« Central Falls 19-year-old indicted for murder | Today | Report: Ex-URI education dean under investigation in Ky. » June 25, 2008Update: Woonsocket girl's killer gets life without parole
PROVIDENCE -- A man who kidnapped, raped and killed an 8-year-old girl in Woonsocket two years ago was sentenced this afternoon to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The family of victim Savannah Smith clapped when Judge Gilbert V. Indeglia announced the sentence for Joshua Davis, who had pleaded guilty in April to first-degree murder, first-degree child molestation and kidnapping a minor. This morning, Indeglia listened as Savannah's mother requested that he impose a life sentence with no possibility of parole. "He is the lowest piece of scum on the earth," Smith said in her victim impact statement in Providence Superior Court. 
Journal photo / Kathy Borchers Joshua Davis, at his sentencing hearing today The sentence makes Davis the 27th person in the state to receive life without parole, and the first one in a case involving a child as a victim. Of those cases, Indeglia said, "None was more cruel, heartless, savage or vicious than the one that was done to this child." The prosecution said Savannah helped her neighbor Davis wash his red convertible in May 2006. She and her sister asked to go for a ride in his car, but her father, David Smith, told them no. The girls went to the Globe Street playground, near Savannah’s home. About a half hour later, one of Savannah’s younger sisters and her cousin returned home and told David Smith that Savannah had left the park with Davis, in his car. The police found her body the following day in woods off Parkview Boulevard in Cranston. -- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with reports from Journal staff writer Philip Marcelo The prosecution said it had evidence Davis carried Savannah into the woods, which was strewn with trash and glass, because she was not wearing shoes and sexually molested her. Davis' lawyer, public defender John J. Hardiman, had earlier argued for a life sentence with possibility for parole, saying that Davis has suffered in his life with bouts of depression, was abused as a child and has had alcohol and drug problems. The public defender also said Davis pleaded guilty rather than put Smith's family through the ordeal of a trial. Like Samantha's mother, the state Attorney General's Office also asked that Davis receive life imprisonment without parole possibility. Davis was also sentenced today to life in prison on the molestation and kidnapping charges, with all three to be served consecutively. “As I reflect upon all the murders my office has prosecuted during my time as attorney general, I can think of none as brutal, offensive, and despicable as this one," Attorney General Patrick Lynch said in a statement after the sentencing. "If ever there was an individual who warranted Rhode Island’s most severe penalty, it is this depraved and monstrous defendant." Posted by Mike McKinney CommentsPatti | June 25, 2008 4:31 PM link Great so he can have fun in jail! Where is the DEATH PENALTY in this state......... Harry Allen | June 25, 2008 5:10 PM link My son used to hang around with this punk and I always forbid it.Josh was a troubled kid big time his whole life but does not give him a reason to do what he did.I am so glad that he is going to rot in prison and hopefully "BUBBA" will get him. DAN | June 25, 2008 5:59 PM link This is why we should bring back the death penalty in this state. All those liberals would change their minds if this happened to one of their children. This monster deserves to be put to death so us taxpayers don't have to cough up the money to keep him incarecerated and I would pull the switch myself! JJ | June 25, 2008 8:07 PM link We should have capital punishment. At least he received life without parole. No exclusions ever. Thankyou Judge Indeglia for seeking the maximum sentence for the crime. There is no excuse for killing in this nonsensical manner. We should have no pity for this person. He will pay his dues... This non tolerance of heinous crimes should be upheld in the entire country, with RI to begin standard now.
Debbie Caballer | June 25, 2008 8:08 PM link Too bad capital punishment cannot be instituted in this case. At least life without parole should remain as such, no exclusions ever. Hopefully the rest of the nation can follow in this standard for nontolerance of such heinous crimes. Debbie Caballer | June 25, 2008 8:16 PM link If there was any justice, this pos Davis would get the death penalty......... kristin | June 25, 2008 10:56 PM link There could only be one other sentence imposed but there is no death penalty in RI. I hope that this defendant is put in with the general prison population.Enough said, Robert White | June 26, 2008 2:07 AM link Finally justice has been served. I will never understand how somebody like this can ask for any special consideration because of things that happened in his life. He didn't give little Savannah any special consideration. He has no respect for life and is where he belongs. Deb | June 26, 2008 6:45 AM link I'm absolutely sick to my stomach after reading the details of what he did. If he was that intoxicated, high, etc..I can't believe he would have the presence of mind to use a condom, let alone drive from Woonsocket to Cranston without being stopped, or reported by another driver for erratic driving. To Savannah's family: I'm so,so sorry. I hope God helps you find peace. To the RI Court employees: I really believe justice was served and everyone involved in convicting and sentancing Joshua obviously worked hard for this outcome. Thank you Karen | June 26, 2008 1:43 PM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
My sincere regret about this case is why did this individual live for 2 years after his horific act of killing this poor little innocent human being?
My sympathy goes out these family who have lost a precious child to the likes of someone who in my opinion should have gotten the death sentence along time ago.