鈥淭his catastrophic act of vandalism drove that business out,鈥 色多多 Commonwealth鈥檚 Attorney Donald Caldwell told the judge at Thursday鈥檚 sentencing.
Davis鈥 defense attorney, Tom Love, argued that Davis 鈥渟tarted life in a way that was not as advantageous as many people start out.鈥
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鈥淗e is someone who has struggled his entire life 鈥 and alcohol was a major factor in the events of this evening,鈥 Love said. He asked that Davis be allowed to entered a therapeutic community after his release.
Davis reportedly has just one prior felony conviction, in Oklahoma, and the sentencing guidelines in his case suggested incarceration ranging from seven months to just under two years.
But Judge William Broadhurst said the case was different from most intentionally set fires he sees, which often involve empty structures that have been abandoned.
鈥淪etting fire to a thriving business 鈥 shows an intentional violence and anger that needs to be punished,鈥 Broadhurst said.
He gave Davis two years each for arson and burglary.
Davis must also pay restitution: $1,000 to cover the building鈥檚 insurance deductible, plus $250 for repairs to a nearby van also burned that night.
Although he has said he doesn鈥檛 recall the incident, Davis on Thursday apologized to the court and promised to make good on the restitution.
