He Killed A Guest And Shot A Hotel Employee During A Botched Robbery. Then The Judge Threw The Book At Him.

A Tennessee man killed a guest and shot a hotel employee during a botched robbery. Then, the judge sealed his chances of being ever released from prison.

Recently, Knox County Criminal Court Judge Scott Green sentenced Jonathan Lee Davis Jr., 21, to life in prison with a possibility of parole for the shooting death of John Townsend.

After a four-day trial, Davis was found guilty and convicted by a jury of first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, attempted aggravated robbery, employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony and aggravated burglary in concert.

On Oct. 11, 2020, officers responded to the Red Roof Inn at 5334 Central Avenue Pike in Knox County, Tennessee, after reports of a shooting. When police arrived, officers found the body of 58-year-old Townsend in one of the motel’s rooms and a hotel employee who had been shot in the Breezeway, reported Knox News.

According to prosecutors, security surveillance footage showed the defendant and two other assailants exit a truck at the hotel’s parking lot. Next, the assailants went to the second floor, where the victim had rented a room, and attempted to rob him.

Minutes later, Davis shot and killed Townsend. As the trio fled the scene, the defendant accosted a hotel employee and shot him in the chest. Though he was in critical condition, he survived the ordeal.

Under Tennessee law, Davis’ will be eligible for parole after serving 51 years. Hence, to seal the defendant’s chance of being released, prosecutors requested for additional 15 years to be served consecutively to the life sentence.

“We will continue to aggressively prosecute gun violence to take shooters off the streets and make our community safe,” said District Attorney Charme Allen, according to WVLT.

Green granted the motion.