Judge gives 20 years to life to man in 2005 murder

A co-defendant went to
prison for 18 years to life.

YOUNGSTOWN — A 30-year-old Kensington Avenue man was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison in a burglary and shooting death that occurred 21⁄2 years ago.

Jimmy Davenport, who pleaded guilty to murder and burglary with gun specifications in the death of James Rowles, received the sentence Wednesday from Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

In a plea agreement, the prosecution reduced the aggravated murder charge to murder and the aggravated burglary charge to burglary, and dropped an aggravated arson charge.

As recommended by Robert Andrews, assistant county prosecutor, Judge Sweeney imposed 15 years to life on the murder charge, two years for the burglary and three years for the combined gun specifications to be served consecutively, for a total of 20 years to life.

Firefighters found Rowles, 66, shot in the head Aug. 9, 2005, in a burglary in his Trussit Avenue house, which was set afire. Andrews said the long sentence for Davenport was justified because he was the shooter.

But Davenport’s lawyer, Lou DeFabio, urged the judge to consider Davenport’s mild to moderate mental retardation and limited comprehension and decision-making ability and sentence him to 18 years to life.

A co-defendant, Frederick A. Rice, 31, of Ferndale Avenue, who pleaded guilty to murder and aggravated burglary with gun specifications, was sentenced last year to 18 years to life in prison.

The trial of another co-defendant, James Huff, 23, of Trussit Avenue, on aggravated murder, aggravated burglary and aggravated arson charges with gun specifications, is set for March 4 before Judge Sweeney.

“I’m sorry for the wrong I have done, and I hope the family can forgive me,” Davenport told the judge.

The long delay in the case resulted from a dispute over Davenport’s competency to stand trial, with Davenport being found competent after an evaluation.

Davenport will get credit for the 914 days he has already been jailed.