Homicide Defendant Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

By Sadie Herman [former] - December 18, 2023
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

During a Dec. 18 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun sentenced a first-degree murder defendant to 120 months incarceration, with five years of supervised release. 

Raymond Davis, 50, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with the murder of Henry Hackett, 41. The incident occurred on the 2000 block of Langston Place, SE on June 3, 2020.

On March 10, Davis accepted an offer from prosecution to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed, in exchange for dismissal of the other charges. 

The sentencing began with the prosecution reading a letter from a close relative of Hackett’s stating, “I am writing this letter with tears streaming down my face.”

“Since his death there has been a hole in my life”, and “[Hackett] will never be able to walk his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day”.

The prosecution recommended Davis be sentenced to the maximum sentence of 126 months with five years of supervised release. The prosecutor referenced a “cycle of violence”, explaining that this crime was an accumulation of a “lifetime of criminal behavior”. The prosecutor emphasized Davis’ lengthy criminal history, and explained this shooting occurred when Davis was prohibited access to a firearm.

According to the prosecutor, in the past, Hackett murdered one of Davis’ friends. The prosecutor stated that although this was tragic, Hackett is “still protected by the law”, and that Davis should not be responsible.

Matthew Davies, Davis’ defense counsel, explained that Davis came to this hearing to “accept responsibility for his actions”. Davies also argued that Davis should be sentenced to 114 months, stating that this is a significant amount of time for punishment, emphasizing that upon release, Davis does not intend to resume a life of crime.

Davis stated to the court that he is deeply apologetic to the “citizens of the District of Columbia”. He exclaimed, “I hope you all one day will be able to find some forgiveness for my inexcusable actions,” and “I wholeheartedly wish this was something I could reverse or fix”. 

Judge Okun sentenced Davis to 120 months, with five years of supervised release. He explained Davis’ lengthy criminal record is in the past, and he believes Davis has done a lot of good in his life while incarcerated. However, he also stated that the nature of this crime was horrific, and supports a higher sentence. So Judge Okun explained he was “ending up in the middle” of both parties’ requests.

Davis is also required to register as a gun offender upon a release, and pay a fine to the court.

Judge Okun further exclaimed to Davis, “You’re gonna have a life ahead of you”, and “a family waiting for you”. 

No further dates are set in this case.