Teens charged in shooting death of Palo Verde student get separate trials

Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009 | 11:46 a.m.

Christopher Privett

Ezekiel Williams and Gerald Davison, the two teenagers accused of shooting and killing 15-year-old Christopher Privett last February in Summerlin, were granted separate trials Wednesday by District Court Judge Stefany Miley.

Davison’s trial is set for Aug. 3 and Williams’s trial is set for Aug. 24.

Both parties requested the separate trials, said Carmen Alper, Miley’s judicial executive assistant.

By having separate trials, evidence and testimony involving one defendant will not prejudice the other.

Williams and Davison are accused of killing Privett in a drive-by-shooting near Palo Verde High School on Feb. 15, 2008. Privett, a Palo Verde freshman, was walking home from school when he was gunned down after an incident in which witnesses said gang signs and verbal remarks were exchanged between members of Privett’s group and the suspects, who were in a passing car.

In April, gang-enhancement charges were added against both defendants after prosecutors said the crime was gang-related. This could add one to 20 years to their sentences, if they are convicted. Both now face charges of murder and attempted murder with gang enhancement. Both now face the possibility of life in prison with the possibility of parole or life without the possibility of parole, if convicted.