Syracuse, N.Y. — Two siblings were sentenced to prison Tuesday for the murder of one person and the attempted murder of a witness.
Khalid A. Davis, 23, and his sister, Genell A. Davis, 29, fatally shot Zachary Holloway Jr. on May 31 in the 500 block of South Geddes Street. He was killed just five days before his 20th birthday.
Six days later, the Davis siblings and Jalin Hayward, 23, attempted to murder a witness to Holloway’s death. That person survived.
Khalid A. Davis was sentenced to 45 years to life in prison.
He received 25 years to life for second-degree murder, 20 years to life for first-degree attempted murder and 15 years for two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
Genell Davis was sentenced earlier in the day to 15 years in prison for first-degree manslaughter.
Assistant District Attorney Shaun Chase read a statement from Holloway’s father, Zachary Holloway Sr. He described his son as “a sparkle in everybody’s eye.” He was also described as wise and respectful.
Holloway Sr. wiped his tears as Chase read the statement, which included a poem read at his son’s memorial.
Khalid Davis’ lawyer, Graeme Spicer, spoke after Chase and praised Khalid Davis’ behavior in court.
“Mr. Davis has been one of the best clients I’ve ever had,” Spicer said.
Judge Gordon Cuffy said he agreed with Spicer.
“Respectful and a gentlemen,” Cuffy agreed. “Which makes it even more difficult.”
Cuffy asked Davis if he wanted to speak.
“I’m still innocent,” was the only thing Khalid Davis said.
The judge said that despite everything he still had to give Khalid Davis a “severe punishment.” With those words one woman broke out in sobs and left the courtroom and the judge delivered the sentence.
At Genell Davis’s sentencing, Cuffy referenced two letters he had received from her. One of the letters requested her guilty plea be withdrawn. The judge rejected her request and sentenced her to prison.
Genell Davis did not speak during her appearance but her father attempted to shout out twice. He was shushed by court officers and the judge. “No, no outbursts,” Cuffy said.
A third person was charged as an accomplice to the attempted murder of the witness. Jalin Hayward pleaded guilty before a jury was selected and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Khalid Davis opened fire on another vehicle, District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said. One of the multiple bullets fired hit Holloway — one of the people in the vehicle — in the head.
Genell Davis was the getaway driver in Holloway’s murder. The witness was in the car that day.
Later, the Davis siblings and Hayward lured the witness to her own apartment, where they tried to kill her with a bullet to her head, prosecutors said. The witness survived and testified at trial of Khalid Davis
A judge allowed prosecutors to describe Khalid Davis as a member of the Bricktown gang, suggesting that Holloway’s murder was part of a war with the rival 110 gang.
Holloway was described as someone who was in “the wrong place at the wrong time,” Chase said.
Cuffy, Spicer and Chase all agreed on one thing. Both the Holloway and Davis families are suffering.
Staff writer Rylee Kirk covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, photo, question or comment? Reach her at 315-396-5961, on Twitter @kirk_rylee, or rkirk@syracuse.com.
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