Teen Apologizes, Gets a Year in Jail and Probation in Utash Beating

James Davis was sentenced to a year in prison for his role in the vicious April 2 beating that nearly killed Steven Utash, and another defendant’s sentencing was delayed in Wayne County Circuit Court Thursday.

Davis apologized to the Utash family and to “the city of Detroit,” WJBK, Channel 2, reports. Judge James Callahan, who said Davis was “well spoken,” said he thought the teenager’s remorse was sincere, five years of probation, including one year to be served in jail.

“I really want  you to give me a second chance,” Davis said, according to a report on WDIV, Channel 4. “I don’t want my whole life to be judged on that one moment.”

Davis was part of a mob that attacked Utash, 54, after his pickup accidentally struck a 10-year-old child who had darted into traffic. He stopped to give aid and “teenagers started throwing punches at me and screaming that I hit the kid on purpose,” Utash wrote in a statement read during the sentencing of two other defendants earlier this week.

Utash’s and other family members’ statements were part of the record in Thursday’s proceeding.

Latrez Cummings, 19, was scheduled to be sentenced, but prosecutors put that off for a week so issues regarding his schooling could be resolved, Two other defendants – Wonzy Saffold, 30, and Bruce Wimbush, 18 – were sentenced earlier this week, and a fifth defendant, a 17-year-old juvenile, will be sentenced next month.

Saffold was sentenced to from six to 10 years in prison, and Wimbush was sentenced to three years’ probation. His record will be wiped clean if he has no further brushes wth the law.

During Tuesday’s proceeding, Steven Utash’s brother told Saffold and Wimbush they should be grateful to Deborah Hughes, the nurse who intervened and stopped the mob attack.

“Otherwise, you guys might be standing here for murder,” Ken Utash said

Family members told reporters that Steven Utash has brain damage, is unable to drive and cannot make financial decisions for himself. Though he has been able to pay his medical expenses, he is unable to work and has no money for everyday living epenses.

An online fundraiser on the GoFundMe site raised $188,305 from 4,608 donors.