FLORIDA TEEN SEES "CRUEL FACE" OF U.S. JUSTICE, SENTENCED TO 162 YEARS IN PRISON FOR HIS FIRST CRIME. Did This 20-Year-Old Man Deserve Such A Harsh Sentence?

by Tigger Too Posted 2012/07/05 10:14:06

Related Topics: Supreme Court, Murder, Crime, Miami, Dog, Florida, Prison, Court, Robbery, Sentence, Teen

52 votes
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	YES! He deserved to be sentenced to 162 years in prison.	11 votes	21%
	NO! Being sentenced to 162 years in prison was too harsh.	31 votes	60%
	Undecided	10 votes	19%

MIAMI, FLORIDA - - Quartavious Davis is still shocked by what happened to him in federal court two months ago. "My first offense, and they gave me all this time," said Davis, a pudgy African American with dreadlocks who spoke with Reuters at the Federal Detention Center in Miami. "Might just as well say I'm dead." Davis was convicted of participating in a string of armed robberies in the Miami area in 2010. His accomplices testified against him, saying he carried a gun during their crimes and discharged it at a dog that chased them after one of their burglaries. But Davis was not convicted of hurting anyone physically, including the dog. Davis would occupy no place at all in the annals of crime if not for his sentence. Now 20 years old, he was sentenced to 1,941 months -- 162 years -- in prison without the possibility of parole.

On the day of Davis's interview, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that life sentences without parole for defendants under the age of 18 constituted "cruel and unusual punishment," even in cases of murder. Unfortunately for Davis, he was 18 at the time of his crimes. Nonetheless, his attorney will argue that Davis's sentence to die in prison also constitutes "cruel and unusual punishment" on the grounds that Davis is a "first-time offender," having never before been charged with a crime. Davis's unusually long sentence results from a controversial practice known as "stacking," in which each count of an indictment is counted as a separate crime, thus transforming a first-time defendant into a "habitual criminal" subject to multiple sentences and mandatory sentencing guidelines.

DID DAVIS DESERVE SUCH A HARSH SENTENCE?
[Read the details of his crime and sentencing in the link below.]

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bags the Indigenous Guru 2012/07/05 13:53:00

NO! Being sentenced to 162 years in prison was too harsh.

+6
From just the small amount of information given it seems pretty draconian. No loss of life, not even injury. Armed robbery IS armed robbery and should not b marginalized, but even still. Oh....and the title says 'teen'. At 20, he's no teen anymore.
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More polls by Tigger Too

Tigger Too to eNewsAl... 2012/07/07 10:35:58

Thanks for your comments, eNewsAlerts!

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Deliciously Melicious 2012/07/05 15:47:15

Undecided

+4
It may have been the first time he got caught, but is it his first offense? It says a "string" of armed robberies... how many is a string? How many people did he threaten with a gun?

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Tigger Too to Delicio... 2012/07/07 10:36:27

Thanks for your comments, Melicious!

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Dickens 2012/07/05 15:44:24 (edited)

Undecided

+2
...hey, at least he wasn't given LWOP...and a "first time offender" who was a multiple offender, having committed a "..string of armed robberies.." I gotta be honest; I hate constantly hearing "..sentenced to 20 years for armed robbbery, but he'll be out on parole in 4 .."

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Tigger Too to Dickens 2012/07/07 10:38:59

Actually, this defendant DID essentially get life without parole, since the sentences are to run consecutively, not concurrently. The court could have sent him to prison based on the most serious charge, and made the stipulation that he'd have to do his time day-for-day, with no parole. Thanks for your comments, Dickens!

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♌βļąƈʞƦơșƐ3033♌ 2012/07/05 15:44:16

NO! Being sentenced to 162 years in prison was too harsh.

+3
NOT FOR HIS FIRST OFFENSE and no possibility of parole. That's cruel and unusual punishment.

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Tigger Too to ♌βļąƈʞƦ... 2012/07/07 10:39:23

+1
I agree. Thanks for your response, BlackRose!

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Bilingual required sucks 2012/07/05 15:36:38

NO! Being sentenced to 162 years in prison was too harsh.

+4
The southern justice system is very unforgiving and cruel. The North is not far behind. From the sentences imposed to the state of the prisons people are forced to live in, the entire institution needs a complete overhaul, and to switch the focus of the justice system from PUNISHMENT to REHABILITATION.

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Anonymo... to Bilingu... 2012/07/05 18:28:09

+2
We need an emphasis on reform and deterrence rather than punishment, I think it's so stupid to put someone in prison for 10 years as a punishment, it's expensive and isn't a deterrent at all. If someone commits a crime through drug use, circumstances or anger/ mental issues, rehabilitate them. If they do it on purpose but feel sorry for what they've done, punish them through community service, unpaid work, fines, public embarrassment, hard labour and corporal punishment. If they're unrepentant, put them in a hell hole of a prison until they're scared of going back and behave themselves. Dangerous criminals need to be put into prison camps for the safety of society.

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Tigger Too to Bilingu... 2012/07/07 10:42:19

+1
I hate to play the race card, but this guy's drastic sentence for armed robbery is yet another example of a poor black man being convicted because he couldn't afford to mount a decent defense. Looking at 162 years for his crimes gives this young man nothing to live for now. Thanks for your comments, Bilingual, and have a great weekend!

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jackolantyrn356 2012/07/05 15:30:30

Undecided

+2
All it had to be was a White Monster and no one would have said a thing. This is media support of racism at its worst.

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Bilingu... to jackola... 2012/07/05 16:11:20 (edited)

+3
If it had been a "White Monster" no one would have said a thing because he would have gotten 8 years max, been out of prison in 3.

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Tigger Too to jackola... 2012/07/07 10:43:05

Thanks for your response, jackolantyrn!

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bags the Indigenous Guru 2012/07/05 13:53:00

NO! Being sentenced to 162 years in prison was too harsh.

+6
From just the small amount of information given it seems pretty draconian. No loss of life, not even injury. Armed robbery IS armed robbery and should not b marginalized, but even still. Oh....and the title says 'teen'. At 20, he's no teen anymore.

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Marie-J... to bags th... 2012/07/05 22:15:24

+2
When the crime was committed, he still was!

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bags th... to Marie-J... 2012/07/05 22:19:17

+3
Ah, I see. It also seems that worse yet, he apparently had just turned 18. This just isn't right. Maybe he had committed crimes that he'd never been caught for...but that's how it is with any first time offender. You cannot crucify someone because they maybe once did something no one knows about.

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Tigger Too to bags th... 2012/07/07 10:45:40

+1
Actually, this guy was only 18 when he committed his crimes. I totally agree with you, that 162 years for armed robbery goes WAY beyond truth in sentencing requirements. Thanks for your comments, bags!

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Deborah 2012/07/05 12:57:26

NO! Being sentenced to 162 years in prison was too harsh.

+2
They might want to background check the Judge.

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Tigger Too to Deborah 2012/07/07 10:46:26

+1
You make an excellent point. Thanks for your response, Deborah, and have a wonderful weekend!

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BOOGIE-WOOGIE-MUSIC-MAN-ROC... 2012/07/05 12:45:48

Undecided

+3
I would have to be familiar with the case thoroughly investigating each victim if they felt their Life had been threatened. I will also tell you that if he would have pulled that gun on the wrong person, he just may be having that done for supper. the gun just may be made out of chocolate. The main thing about the state of Florida, is that their population consists Snow birds, and the large huge part of the population is Rich people who have retired. in fact, it is hard to find somebody in that state, that does not speak with a northern accent. But at least part of his sentence should be ordered for 15 or 20 years of intensive drug treatment. the state of Florida has the lottery, and I would hope that some of that money would go to the prison, but mainly the school systems. I doubt it goes to the roads and highways and transportation.

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Tigger Too to BOOGIE-... 2012/07/07 10:47:18

+1
Thanks for your comments, BOOGIE-WOOGIE!

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BOOGIE-... to Tigger Too 2012/07/07 12:03:52

+1
You are very welcome, and thank you for the post these federal judges do stay in their ivory towers.

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irish -liberty or death! 2012/07/05 12:38:56

NO! Being sentenced to 162 years in prison was too harsh.

+4
this is a justice system we can rely on?? please! and yet eric holder and the other criminals in govt get a tiny slap on the wrist???and people still want to vote for these morons????

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twocrows to irish -... 2012/07/05 15:57:50

+3
I can post photoshop pics, too. Only - - these were created by people with considerably more talent AND patience than whoever slapped together the one you posted.

furthermore, this post is about a young man who received an overly harsh sentence. it never mentioned Eric Holder. if your short term memory is so bad that you can remember what thread you are posting on, it's a simple matter to scroll to the top of the page and refresh yourself as to what the topic is. or is that too much trouble?

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irish -... to twocrows 2012/07/05 16:01:50

+1
awww,big deal! apparently YOU are unable to see how the JUSTICE system is out of whack for the common people, i realize its a huge leap for your meager mind to connect the fact that eric holder has done something MUCH worse to the entire country!
and apparently you cannot see injustice in this at all.

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Ozzyboy to twocrows 2012/07/05 16:41:30

+1
Eric Holder is responsible for many deaths, this guy is not.

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Tigger Too to twocrows 2012/07/07 10:52:53

+1
I must agree with you, my friend. This article isn't about Attorney General Eric Holder. Some SodaHeads just cannot respond without taking digs at the Obama administration.

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Tigger Too to irish -... 2012/07/07 10:51:15

+2
Doesn't anybody remember the Iran-Contra scandal under President Ronald Reagan? Nobody went to jail for THAT either. Thanks for your response, irish!

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irish -... to Tigger Too 2012/07/07 11:17:44

+1
exactly. welcome.

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john 2012/07/05 12:09:50

YES! He deserved to be sentenced to 162 years in prison.

+2
as others have proberly said, this may not have been his first crime and a string of offences means the second one at least he had a prior crime, not certain why 162 years as they might have said life, but that's how the stacking system works, his next crime may have resulted in a death and this guy is now guaranteed not to harm anyone else

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bags th... to john 2012/07/05 13:56:44

+1
The article days he was a 1st time offender, which would preclude other crimes, eh?

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john to bags th... 2012/07/05 14:06:09

+3
a first time caught offender, there is a difference and a guy who commits this list of robberies, would have committed other crimes before this in all proberbility....

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Bilingu... to john 2012/07/05 15:42:28

+3
Our justice system does not work on "maybe's". Well he probably has committed other crimes before he was actually caught doesn't really work. The facts are he IS a first time offender.

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twocrows to Bilingu... 2012/07/05 16:01:00

+3
correction: our system doesn't work on 'maybes' unless the person is poor and a person of color. then all bets are off.

and before anyone accuses me of 'playing the race card' - - please educate yourself on how our system actually functions. don't shoot the messenger.

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john to Bilingu... 2012/07/05 16:06:01

+2
and how many offenses did they take in to consideration to give him 162 years and he did commit these, no maybe's and taking him off the streets may save lives.but 162 years is a long time, personally i think 30 years should be maximum..i don't disagree with anything you say....

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Bilingu... to john 2012/07/05 16:23:47 (edited)

+1
Thank you. I just think for a first time offense for someone so young, a second chance to redeem himself should be given. Focus on educating him, learning a trade in prison, and perhaps the young man will learn, and become a civilized member of society A lot of people make terrible mistakes when they are young, that they later regret. 162 years is just throwing him away.

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john to Bilingu... 2012/07/05 17:27:15

+1
unless he lives to 180 he will never see the light of day...but your right people can change, in england the system says put them in prison if they are a danger to the public..and in 20 years who can say if he has learnt anything

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Tigger Too to john 2012/07/07 10:53:49

+1
Thanks for your comments, john!

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Rusty Shackleford 2012/07/05 11:58:46

YES! He deserved to be sentenced to 162 years in prison.

+5
A "string of armed robberies" is not a "first offense".

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irish -... to Rusty S... 2012/07/05 12:40:38

+1
he wasn't convicted of any of the string but one. 1st offense.

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