Second teen pleads guilty in Palo Verde student slaying

Gerald Davison, 17, facing 28 years in prison

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 | 11:34 a.m.

Christopher Privett

Seventeen-year-old Gerald Davison said today in court that he intended to kill someone when he fired a semi-automatic pistol from the backseat of a car into a group of four boys.

One of the bullets he fired struck Palo Verde High School freshman Christopher Privett in the chest. The 15-year-old would later die from the wound at Summerlin Hospital.

A bullet passed through the backpack of one of the other boys. Davison accepted a plea agreement today, admitting his intent to commit murder. He pleaded guilty to first-degree murder with a deadly weapon and attempted murder.

District Court Judge Stefany Miley could give Davison life in prison when he’s sentenced Aug. 12. The plea agreement offers a minimum of 28 years.

“It took him a long time to understand the ramifications of what occurred,” his attorney, Kent Kozal, said after today’s hearing. “Today, he’s accepted responsibility for his actions.”

After school ended on Feb. 15, 2008, Privett and three friends were walking home on Alta Drive.

According to police reports, a gray Pontiac drove by the four boys and witnesses said harsh words and gang signs were exchanged between members of the two groups.

The car traveled east on Alta, turned around and stopped to allow two girls to get in the backseat, where Davison was sitting, according to the reports.

The car, driven by Ezekiel Williams, drove east on Alta again, passing by Privett’s group near Pavilion Center Drive.

Davison said today that he was handed a gun and “discharged it out the window.”

Police recovered four bullet casings from a .22 Ruger at the scene and Williams allegedly told police that he found another casing in his car, which he threw out.

Davison told police he was trying to scare the teens for derogatory remarks they had made.

Williams, now 20, pleaded guilty on June 24 to voluntary manslaughter with a deadly weapon and accessory to murder. He faces four to 10 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 5.

Discussion: 5 comments so far…

By reagan21

7/1/09 at 2:06 p.m.

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I guess those who post on the LV Sun are more classy than those on the RJ. I can't believe there hasn't been any posts with racial undertones. Way to keep it classy LV Sun'ers
By henderson

7/1/09 at 2:45 p.m.

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Give it time reagan, it's early yet.
By lp

7/1/09 at 3:04 p.m.

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Where was the parents of this kid, when he was growing up ? I cant believe how many people dont teach their children basic respect for human life. I see it again and again. Few years ago my neighbor's son was spray painting my wall. When, I told the mother, she told me to mind my own business.

I told her don't cry when your son is in prison. Sure enough, four years later he is in prison for armed robbery. The mothers chasing new boyfriends, and ignoring their children.
By Babyboomer

7/1/09 at 3:45 p.m.

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Facing 28 years for premeditated murder??? How is that even possible.He's an adult.
By KEENAH80

7/8/09 at 11:03 a.m.

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I feel so sorry for the family of the victim, I hope god embraces his soul with open arms. The offender is my cousin and I believe that he should have gotten more time then he did I feel you take a life you deserve to have your life taken, Well to answer your question were was his mother? Somewhere laid up on pain pills for no reason,too busy worried about what her loser boyfriend was doing instead of her own children, letting the streets raise him instead of doing her job.I don't feel sorry for him what's so ever and I don't feel sorry for his mother either, My prayers and support goes out to Christopher Privett family, From me and my sisters we will like to send our prayers and condolences to the Privett family, No one deserves to go like that and for no reason at all...Words can never express how sorry I'am that this happend...