St. Louis man sentenced to 20 years for killing teenager in 2022

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A St. Louis man was sentenced to 20 years in prison after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors in relation to the death of a teenager in 2022.

Louzell Davis Jr., 34, pleaded guilty Monday to charges of second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the December 2022 killing of 14-year-old Jacob Ashford.

According to the St. Louis 12th Judicial Circuit said witnesses identified Davis as the man who shot Ashford on the front porch of a home in the 5300 block of Northland Avenue in the city’s Wells-Goodfellow neighborhood.

Davis was originally charged with first-degree murder charge, but as part of the press agreement, amended the murder charge from first-degree and dismissed one count of unlawful gun possession.

Davis’ case had been set for trial Sept. 9. Circuit Judge Madeline O. Connolly accepted Davis ’guilty pleas and sentenced him to the state’s recommended terms of 17 years for second- degree murder and a consecutive three years for armed criminal action.