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Woonsocket Man Sentenced to Life for the Murder of 8-Year Old Savannah Smith; Family Expresses Outrage

AP

Story Created: Jun 25, 2008 at 11:42 AM EDT

Story Updated: Jun 25, 2008 at 6:11 PM EDT

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...

Wednesday, Aug 27 at 7:22 PM Disgusting wrote ...

An eye for an eye does NOTHING but continue the cycle of violence. Only morons would agree with the attitude of "eye for an eye."

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Tuesday, Aug 26 at 1:34 AM Eye for an Eye. wrote ...

Eye for an Eye.

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Friday, Jun 27 at 8:49 AM GB wrote ...

The death penalty's not in the overcrowded prisons, that's for sure!

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Wednesday, Jun 25 at 9:37 PM n/a wrote ...

wait until he's in prison.. he'll get what's deserved.

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Wednesday, Jun 25 at 5:37 PM n/a wrote ...

ewww

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Wednesday, Jun 25 at 5:01 PM Harry Allen wrote ...

Where is the death penalty!!!!!

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