Davis Pleads Not Guilty: The Death Penalty Is Off the Table

The question of the maximum penalty was settled right at the start in Las Vegas on November 2, 2023: Judge Tierra Jones asked prosecutors Marc DiGiacomo and Binu Palal whether they were seeking the death penalty. They said no; Duane Davis therefore faces life imprisonment if convicted. At his arraignment, he pleaded not guilty.

He is charged with first-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon, with a gang enhancement. He waived his right to a trial within 60 days.

Public Defenders Take Over the Case

The question of his defense had been settled beforehand. Attorney Ross Goodman had spoken on October 19 of “obvious lines of defense,” for instance because neither the murder weapon nor the vehicle was available. However, no agreement with Davis was reached.

The court therefore appointed public defenders Charles Cano and Robert Arroyo. The next hearing was scheduled for November 7. The progress of the proceedings is followed on the page The Investigation.