Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 29, 1994 TAG: 9412290110
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
James E. Davis IV, 22, received an additional 40 years but that term was diverted to Hegira House, a drug-treatment center where he will receive help for an addiction that, he said, consumed $300 worth of crack cocaine and a case of beer every day.
Davis told Roanoke Circuit Judge Clifford Weckstein that his drug problem led to the robbery and unlawful wounding charges against him.
Last month, Davis pleaded guilty to attacking Roy Correll, a driver for Yellow Cab Co., the night of May 9. Authorities said Davis caught Correll's cab on Wayne Street Northeast, asked him for change for a $50 bill, then reached across the seat and grabbed Correll around the neck.
Correll, who was pulled into the back seat, was stabbed several times in the chest and side as the cab wrecked in the 1700 block of Wayne Street.
Davis testified Wednesday that he was trying to get money to buy more crack.
``I'm sorry,'' he said, turning in the witness stand to face Correll, who was seated in the courtroom. ``I wasn't intending to hurt you; I just wanted the money.''
One day after the robbery, Davis' third child was born. He testified that he had earlier turned to crack after his life hit ``rock bottom'' when he lost his job and began to have problems caring for his family.
Since then, friends and family members testified, he has received drug treatment and found religion. ``Basically, he has taken giant steps toward rehabilitating himself,'' defense attorney Mark Kidd said.
Davis will begin to serve his five-year sentence for unlawful wounding. If he later fails to complete treatment at Hegira House, an intensive group-therapy home, he could be subject to the 40-year prison term for robbery.
by CNB