In a courtroom filled with tension and emotion, William Lawrence Davis, 29, was given a 12-year prison sentence for the harrowing break-in and assault that occurred in Encanto on May 3, 2019. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Davis pleaded guilty to charges of burglary and assault with intent to commit rape.
The victim, who chooses to remain anonymous and is identified as L.S., bravely attended the sentencing hearing. Deputy District Attorney Trisha Amador read a statement from the victim in which she expressed her unwillingness to forgive Davis. "I do not forgive him," the victim wrote. "I want him to pay for what he did." One of her young children was home during the break-in, adding an extra layer of fear and trauma to the event.
As reported by NBC San Diego, the victim detailed her struggle in the days following the assault, recounting feelings of constant terror and sleepless nights. Therapy has helped her cope with the ordeal, but the fear still lingers. The severity of the crime was made all the more poignant by the fact that L.S. was pregnant at the time.
During the sentencing, San Diego County Superior Court Judge Polly H. Shannon did little to hide her disgust and contempt for the actions committed by Davis. Addressing him directly, she said, "I hope you realize every single day that you are in custody how you terrorized a woman that was doing nothing but sleeping soundly in her bed with her child when you broke into her house and sexually assaulted her." The judge continued, "You deserve the sentence that you are receiving today."
With misplaced emotions, the victim attempted to protect her 18-month-old daughter during the assault, diving on top of her to shield her from danger. Following the incident, Davis stole L.S.'s cell phone and fled, forcing the victim to seek help from a neighbor.
In addition to the agreed-upon 12-year prison term, Davis must register as a sex offender for life—a small but essential measure to ensure public safety and prevent the possibility of a similar event occurring in the future.
