Opinion ID: 1126715
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: evidence at sentencing hearing

Text: The State first presented Johnny Hall who testified Davis shot him with a pistol about 3 a.m. at Fats' Exxon on June 29, 1990. Officer Travis Ford reported his investigation of the Hall armed robbery/attempted murder and also testified that Sanchez had been killed just an hour before Hall was shot. The State next proved the Mark Lavigne armed robbery/assault in Bossier. The Bossier investigating officer described how Lavigne was hit on the head with the gun. A Bossier Parish assistant district attorney established Davis's conviction by a guilty plea. The Bossier prosecutor revealed that Lavigne identified Davis from photographs and that Davis also stole Lavigne's watch from his person during the robbery. The state lastly called a firearms expert, Richard Beighley, who testified that the cartridges recovered from the Hall and Lavigne offenses were definitely fired from Davis's .25 caliber pistol. Davis called his mother as his first witness. She testified that drugs ruined her son and pleaded for his life. Davis's aunt testified that he had confided in her about his drug problem shortly before his arrest. Davis next presented Dr. Mark Vigen, a psychologist, who examined Davis. His written report was attached to Davis's sentence review memorandum. Dr. Vigen noted the 25-year-old defendant was hit by a car at age nine, rendering him unconscious for a few minutes. Dr. Vigen concluded that Davis was a drug addict and an alcoholic. Dr. Vigen noted that Davis failed high school in 11th grade and was sent to the School Away from School program and that he ultimately graduated from Green Oaks High School in 1985. Davis then attended Southern University in Shreveport, but failed. He then joined and subsequently withdrew from the Army after brief service. The doctor noted Davis's work history, mostly in the food service industry, mentioning that Davis worked at Shoney's for almost two years. The doctor learned that Davis began using crack cocaine around age 18 or 19. The doctor was informed that on the night of the Moore murder, Davis shared at least a case of beer, half a pint of whiskey and $50 worth of cocaine. The doctor found Davis's I.Q. below average; his Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Revised Full Scale IQ was 74, which places him in the 4th percentile of measured intelligence and in the borderline range. The doctor testified Davis was chemically dependent and possessed mild organic brain dysfunction. Dr. Joe B. Hayes, an expert in the field of psychiatry and chemical dependency or substance abuse, also testified for Davis. He relied on statements from Davis and his mother in concluding that Davis exhibited poor judgment because of his addictions. A prospective trial juror who had been excused because she knew Davis in high school, also testified. She said Davis was respected and likeable. A friend of Davis's for 22 years and his sister also testified on his behalf. Finally, Davis took the stand. The only offense he could remember was the robbery-shooting of Moore, explaining that he did not recall wanting to kill Mr. Moore. Davis was cross-examined about the insurmountable evidence against him and ultimately said he was sorry for whatever he had done.