Appeals court upholds Davis’ conviction, sentence
YOUNGSTOWN — A three-judge panel of the 7th District Court of Appeals has unanimously upheld the aggravated murder and aggravated arson convictions, and the 310-year prison term for Michael A. Davis, who set the East Side house that killed six people three years ago.
In a 42-page decision released this morning, Judges Gene Donofrio, Joseph J. Vukovich and Cheryl L. Waite ruled police properly arrested Davis and properly warned him of his constitutional right to remain silent before he confessed to setting the Jan. 23, 2008, house fire on Stewart Avenue.
Judge Donofrio wrote that Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court “did not act unreasonably, arbitrarily or unconscionably” in imposing the maximum consecutive prison terms on Davis.
Killed in the early-morning blaze were Carol Crawford, 46; her daughter, Jennifer Crawford, 23; and Jennifer’s children, Ranaisha, 8; Jeannine, 5; Alisha, 3; and Brandon, 2.
For the complete story, read Tuesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com