McDonough Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder of Teen During Armed Robbery
Lavaniel Davis, 23, of McDonough, was sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years, with an additional 5 years of probation, following his conviction for the murder of 18-year-old Trevon Richardson during an armed robbery. The sentence was handed down by Judge Winston P. Bethel of the DeKalb County Superior Court on Tuesday, after a jury found Davis guilty on multiple charges, including three counts of felony murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
The case stemmed from the events of May 28, 2018, when DeKalb County Police officers responded to a call at an apartment complex on Peppertree Circle in unincorporated Decatur. Richardson was found deceased with a gunshot wound to the chest. His family later identified him after filing a missing person report.
According to the investigation, Richardson had been selling marijuana to two individuals in a black Dodge Dart when the transaction turned into a robbery. Richardson’s friend, who witnessed the deal, was able to identify the driver of the Dodge Dart as co-defendant Detavion McDay. Surveillance footage confirmed McDay’s presence at the scene where Richardson’s body was found.
During the investigation, McDay admitted to driving the vehicle during the robbery and identified “Darius,” later confirmed as Lavaniel Davis, as the person who shot Richardson. McDay was arrested and later pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and related charges in 2020, receiving a 40-year sentence, with 25 years to be served in custody.
Davis was taken into custody on December 17, 2021, and convicted by a jury in August 2024. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Rod Wilkerson, with assistance from Senior ADA Darlene Childers and DKPD Det. W.J. Mueller.
