A verdict was handed down Wednesday in the case of a Woonsocket man convicted of murdering 8-year old Savannah Smith.

Joshua Davis was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.  There was no trial held because he decided to admit to the crimes, his only chance for getting parole someday. 

But the judge called him a "mean, vicious person" who could eventually harm others again.

Savannah Smith's family clapped as a shackled Davis was escorted back to the ACI.

The testimony in this case was emotional, the details chilling.  Davis admitted to kidnapping, raping and murdering his 8-year old Woonsocket neighbor two years ago.  She went for a ride in his red convertible and never came back.  Davis had taken her to a wooded area in Cranston and then beat and raped her.  Detectives later found Smith's naked body rolled up in a carpet.

The 23-year old apologized to the Smith's family in court.  He told them he was high on alcohol and crack cocaine at the time.  The apology meant nothing to them.

ABC 6 reporter Parker Gavigan has more...