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Neighbor decries plan to release Davis brothers
YOUNGSTOWN
Neighbors of James and Scott Davis are concerned after the two men entered a plea agreement that will release the brothers from jail in a week.
Police said, however, they will keep a close eye on them.
James Davis, 18, and his brother Scott Davis, 19, both of Silliman Street, were scheduled for trial Tuesday before Judge Robert Milich of Youngstown Municipal Court on a list of misdemeanor charges including unauthorized use of property, assault, aggravated menacing, resisting arrest and obstruction of official business.
The charges stem from issues associated with harassing, threatening and fighting neighbors. James and Scott Davis are brothers of Michael Davis, 20, who is serving a 310-year sentence for setting the East Side house fire that killed six people Jan. 23, 2008.
The Davises entered plea agreements with prosecutors, and both pleaded guilty to charges of assault, aggravated menacing and obstructing official business. The prosecutor’s office dropped the other charges against them.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, the brothers each received 60 days in jail, a $300 fine and were placed on probation for five years. They have been in Mahoning County jail since Nov. 12, meaning they will both be released from jail in seven days.
Frank Gray, a neighbor and victim in the case, said he is concerned that harassing behavior from the two will continue. He said the Davis brothers have ignored restraining orders and warnings in the past.
“It’s a little bit upsetting,” he said. “That family has a history of violence, and I don’t want them coming home to that house. They live within feet of my porch.”
Gray attended the hearing with three other neighbors listed as victims. All four people expressed concern to detectives after the court proceedings.
Police Detective William Blanchard said if the victims feel either Davis brother has violated the terms of the plea agreement, they can call police, and a warrant likely will be issued for that brother’s arrest.
Dana Lantz, an assistant city prosecutor, said if either of the brothers violates the terms of the court’s order, he is looking at returning to jail.
“The maximum we can sentence on these misdemeanors is 18 months. We recommended 60 days in jail and five years’ probation,” Lantz said. “That way, if they violate any laws, this is a hammer hanging over their heads to make sure they behave, or they will serve that entire 18 months.”
According to police, the brothers showed up at the Silliman Street home of a 20-year-old man in early November demanding to fight. The home’s residents told police they have been having problems with the Scott brothers for an extended period of time.
According to reports, the man and a female resident went out onto the porch to ask the brothers and their friends to leave when the Davis brothers began beating the man. The victim reportedly was left with a swollen eye, cut lip and broken eyeglasses.
The brothers reportedly also started a fight with and threatened to shoot members of the same household after a female ran from the Davis home to the home of the victim asking for help.
Authorities said Scott Davis added to his legal troubles Nov. 29 when he reportedly cursed and threatened a couple sitting in the courtroom during one of his court appearances. Reports say Scott Davis threatened to kill the man and called the woman a foul name.
He faces felony charges of intimidation in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.