Davidson Apologizes, Gets 55 Years For Murder
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Prior to being sentenced to 55 years in prison for murder, Jason Paul Davidson made his first and only courtroom statement regarding the May 2, 2002, murder of Samuel Creekmore.
“I am very sorry,” Davidson said. “I want to apologize to Sam’s friends, family and his daughters. I also want to apologize to my family and friends ...”
Tears filled Davidson’s eyes as he paused then continued. “I just wish it wouldn’t have happened and I’m sorry.”
Davidson’s statement came after testimony by Marcus Creekmore, Samuel Creekmore’s brother, and Ron Rayl, the Creekmores’ stepfather.
Both Marcus Creekmore and Rayl testified that losing their brother and son affected their family deeply.
“I’m a lot angrier of a person now,” Marcus Creekmore told Judge Reed, Kosciusko Circuit Court, as he choked on tears. “I’m also afraid ... I’m just afraid of doing anything. I’m afraid something’s gonna happen.”
Rayl testified that the family will “never get over this,” and that it is his belief that because “Sam got the maximum sentence,” Davidson should too.
Reed, determining that aggravating and mitigating factors counterbalance one another, ruled for neither the maximum nor minimum sentence. Instead, he ordered the presumptive sentence for murder – 55 years incarceration.
In coming to his decision, Reed said he considered the fact that Davidson has no prior criminal record and that the risk of Davidson committing another crime is minimal. He also considered Davidson’s nature, as reported to him through letters received throughout and after the trial.
The nature of the circumstances leading to the crime was considered as was the victim’s age. To these considerations, Reed spoke strongly against Davidson’s actions.
“There is no question that Sam Creekmore was in a place that he had every right to be – where he had every right to feel secure,” Reed said while discussing the nature of the circumstances.
“While counsel is right that the risk of another crime is minimal, I cannot ignore the nature of the circumstances.”
Regarding the victim’s age, Reed acknowledged that not only was Creekmore a victim, but four children, two of Creekmore’s and two of Davidson’s, along with two sets of parents, were victims as well.
These factors went into his decision, Reed said. Despite the list of mitigators and only one legal aggravator, Reed chose not to diminish or enhance the sentence.
“For the court to consider a reduced sentence would depreciate the seriousness of the crime,” Reed said.
Following the judgment of conviction, Davidson’s counsel filed a Notice of Appeal with Kosciusko Circuit Court and the Indiana Court of Appeals.
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Prior to being sentenced to 55 years in prison for murder, Jason Paul Davidson made his first and only courtroom statement regarding the May 2, 2002, murder of Samuel Creekmore.
“I am very sorry,” Davidson said. “I want to apologize to Sam’s friends, family and his daughters. I also want to apologize to my family and friends ...”
Tears filled Davidson’s eyes as he paused then continued. “I just wish it wouldn’t have happened and I’m sorry.”
Davidson’s statement came after testimony by Marcus Creekmore, Samuel Creekmore’s brother, and Ron Rayl, the Creekmores’ stepfather.
Both Marcus Creekmore and Rayl testified that losing their brother and son affected their family deeply.
“I’m a lot angrier of a person now,” Marcus Creekmore told Judge Reed, Kosciusko Circuit Court, as he choked on tears. “I’m also afraid ... I’m just afraid of doing anything. I’m afraid something’s gonna happen.”
Rayl testified that the family will “never get over this,” and that it is his belief that because “Sam got the maximum sentence,” Davidson should too.
Reed, determining that aggravating and mitigating factors counterbalance one another, ruled for neither the maximum nor minimum sentence. Instead, he ordered the presumptive sentence for murder – 55 years incarceration.
In coming to his decision, Reed said he considered the fact that Davidson has no prior criminal record and that the risk of Davidson committing another crime is minimal. He also considered Davidson’s nature, as reported to him through letters received throughout and after the trial.
The nature of the circumstances leading to the crime was considered as was the victim’s age. To these considerations, Reed spoke strongly against Davidson’s actions.
“There is no question that Sam Creekmore was in a place that he had every right to be – where he had every right to feel secure,” Reed said while discussing the nature of the circumstances.
“While counsel is right that the risk of another crime is minimal, I cannot ignore the nature of the circumstances.”
Regarding the victim’s age, Reed acknowledged that not only was Creekmore a victim, but four children, two of Creekmore’s and two of Davidson’s, along with two sets of parents, were victims as well.
These factors went into his decision, Reed said. Despite the list of mitigators and only one legal aggravator, Reed chose not to diminish or enhance the sentence.
“For the court to consider a reduced sentence would depreciate the seriousness of the crime,” Reed said.
Following the judgment of conviction, Davidson’s counsel filed a Notice of Appeal with Kosciusko Circuit Court and the Indiana Court of Appeals.
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