FLINT, Mich. — Sentencing for a key witness in the murder case of 3-year-old Messiah Williams has been postponed after new concerns emerged over conflicting recommendations in a state corrections report.
Desean Davis, who testified against three defendants in the high-profile case, was scheduled to be sentenced Monday in Genesee County Circuit Court. However, the hearing was delayed by at least two weeks following issues raised about an updated report from the Michigan Department of Corrections.
Presiding Judge B. Chris Christenson said the revised report appeared inconsistent, noting that while it claimed the sentencing recommendation remained unchanged, it also suggested the original recommendation may no longer be appropriate.
Davis was initially charged in connection with the child’s death but later pleaded guilty in March 2023 to accessory after the fact to a felony. The plea deal was made in exchange for his testimony against other suspects involved in the case.
According to defense attorney Elias Fanous, the recommended sentencing guideline ranges from zero to nine months. Davis has already spent more than 560 days in custody, which could impact the final sentencing outcome.
The judge noted that any change in sentencing recommendations could allow the defense to revisit or modify the plea agreement.
The sentencing has now been rescheduled for May 4.
The delay comes shortly after the conclusion of the broader case, which saw mixed verdicts. Two defendants, London Walton and Camron Burnett, were acquitted of all charges. A third defendant, Shamir Banks, was convicted on multiple counts, including first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit second-degree murder, and several firearm-related offenses tied to the 2020 shooting.
The case stems from a tragic incident in which dozens of shots were fired into a home on Oklahoma Avenue, resulting in the death of the toddler.