North Side man sentenced to 30 to 60 years for killing wife
Share with others:
A North Side man was sentenced today to 30 to 60 years in prison for killing his wife and stabbing her aunt at their home in 2010.
Joseph Davis III, 55, entered a no contest plea to a general charge of criminal homicide for the attacks of Sept. 8, 2010, at the family home on Richey Avenue.
Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Joseph K. Williams III found Mr. Davis guilty of third-degree murder. The judge also found diminished capacity, he said, because the defendant had smoked crack and been drinking heavily just before the attack.
According to Deputy District Attorney David Spurgeon, Mr. Davis attacked his wife, Victoria Davis, as she slept in their bed about 1:30 a.m. The woman was stabbed 31 times.
In addition, Mr. Davis attacked his wife's aunt, Helena Harris, who also lived in the house.
Though she attempted to fend him off, Mr. Spurgeon said she was stabbed 15 times, including in her head, ear, knee, elbow, hand, leg and chest.
Police were called to the home by the couple's 9-year-old son, who witnessed the attack.
Mr. Davis, who apologized to his family and the victim's family in court Wednesday, also stabbed himself.
During the sentencing, Judge Williams repeatedly questioned what prompted the attack.
"I agree with your mother-in-law," he said to Mr. Davis. "There had to be an easier way to walk away. I don't understand why you did this. Some people get divorced. Some people just walk away. You didn't give her any options. You did it on your own terms."
First Published February 22, 2012 12:04 pm
