Re-sentencing for Adam 'Rattlesnake' Davis still uncertain
For many, the name Adam "Rattlesnake" Davis conjures up one of the most horrific crimes in the Bay Area.
The notorious killer, his then-girlfriend, Valessa Robinson, and their friend John Whispel plotted to murder Valessa's mother, Vicki Robinson because she disapproved of Davis dating her daughter.
The gruesome details of the crime spilled out during the trial. First, they injected her with a syringe full of bleach, but Vicki did not die, so Davis slit her throat. The trio then stuffed her body in a trashcan.
A jury convicted Davis and sent him to Florida’s death row.
However, 20 years later, Davis' case is back in a Tampa courtroom.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Florida's guidelines for handing down the death penalty was unconstitutional. The SCOTUS said a jury should be unanimous on the sentence of death.
In Davis' case, the jury was split, 7 to 5, so Davis gets a 2nd chance at sentencing.
Witnesses will be called to testify and asked to re-live the details of the crime.
In court Thursday, Davis's attorney Rick Terrana said preparing for the re-sentencing won’t be quick or easy. He just finished reviewing boxes of evidence in the case.
"It's going to take me some time to prepare, as the court might imagine. It’s going to be quite extensive," said Terrana.
As for Davis' co-defendants, Valessa was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison but was granted early release in 2013.
John Whispel cut a deal and got 25 years. He may be released from prison this fall.
Soon, Davis will know if he will spend the rest of his life in prison or go back to death row.
A re-sentencing date has not been set. Meanwhile, prosecutors could decide they do not want to force witnesses to again testify. Instead, they could cut a deal, take the death penalty off the table, and Davis would likely get a life sentence.
(source: Fox News)
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