State v. Walker ( 2023 )


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  •               IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
    STATE OF DELAWARE                            )
    )
    )
    ) I.D. Nos.   2103000123
    v.                                    )             2010012972
    )             2109006816
    )             2111011522
    DAVON WALKER,                                )
    )
    Defendant.            )
    ORDER
    Submitted: March 14, 2023
    Decided: May 8, 2023
    AND NOW TO WIT, this 8th day of May 2023, upon consideration of
    Davon Walker (“Defendant”)’s Motion for Modification/Reduction of Sentence
    under Superior Court Criminal Rule 35, the sentence imposed upon the
    Defendant, and the record in this case, it appears to the Court that:
    1.       Defendant actively participated in criminal street gang activity with
    the knowledge that its members engaged in or had engaged in a pattern of criminal
    activity which included various acts of murder, firearm offenses, assault first degree,
    and robberies.1 For his participation in said gang activity, Defendant was indicted
    1
    See Crim Id. N210300123, D.I. 37.
    on three counts of Murder First Degree with respect to his role in the killing of three
    men.2
    2.      Defendant accepted and pled guilty to three counts of Murder Second
    Degree, one count of Conspiracy First Degree, and one count of Gang Participation.3
    The State and Defendant, through counsel, agreed to a recommended unsuspended
    sentence of fifty-three years. Accordingly, on August 26, 2022, this Court imposed
    the recommended sentences.4
    3.      On November 9, 2022, Defendant filed his first Motion for Sentence
    Modification/Reduction under Superior Court Rule 35(b), asking this Court to
    “suspend non-minimum mandatory Level V sentence for completion of educational
    and rehabilitative programs.”5 The Court denied the motion.6 Defendant now files
    this Motion reiterating the identical motion and seeking the same relief.
    4.      Defendant’s request is barred as repetitive.7 Rule 35 does not allow
    2
    Crim Id. N210300123, D.I. 37.
    3
    Crim Id. N210300123, D.I. 1.
    4
    Defendant was sentenced as follows: (1) for each count of Murder Second Degree—to forty
    years at Level V, suspended after fifteen years (minimum mandatory), (2) for Conspiracy First
    Degree—to five years at Level V, and (3) Gang Participation—to three years at Level V. Crim
    Id. N210300123, D.I. 40.
    5
    Id.
    6
    Crim Id. N210300123, D.I. 41.
    7
    Superior Court Rule 35(b) reads that “[t]he court will not consider repetitive requests for
    reduction of sentence.” Del. Super. Ct. Crim R. 35(b). A motion is considered repetitive when
    it “is preceded by an earlier Rule 35(b) motion, even if the subsequent motion raises new
    arguments.” State v. Culp, 
    152 A.3d 141
    , 144 (Del. 2016).
    2
    the Court to use its discretion to ignore this bar.8
    IT IS SO ORDERED that the Motion for Reduction of Sentence is
    SUMMARILY DISMISSED.
    /s/ Vivian L. Medinilla
    Vivian L. Medinilla
    Judge
    oc:    Prothonotary
    cc:    Defendant
    Investigative Services Office
    8
    Culp, 
    152 A.3d at 145
     (reversing the Superior Court’s decision to grant defendant’s Motion
    for Modification where the motion was repetitive and untimely).
    3
    

Document Info

Docket Number: 2103000123 2010012972 2109006816 2111011522

Judges: Medinilla J.

Filed Date: 5/8/2023

Precedential Status: Precedential

Modified Date: 5/8/2023