Steven Patrick Ryan sentenced to 21 years in prison for shooting unarmed De'Shaun Christopher Davis

Steven Patrick Ryan, age 63, formerly of Ukiah, was sentenced this afternoon to 21 years in state prison.



Because his conviction is characterized as violent in the Penal Code, the additional sentence credits defendant Ryan may attempt to earn in state prison are limited to no more than 15 percent of the total sentence handed down. In light of today's proceedings, it is now believed that the defendant will become eligible for parole when he is 81 or 82 years of age.

The defendant was convicted by jury last month of voluntary manslaughter. The jury also found true that the defendant intentionally and personally used a firearm to cause that death.

In brief, defendant Ryan shot the unarmed De'Shaun Christopher Davis to death just before Thanksgiving 2016. Claiming that he was in fear, the defendant admitted continuing to shoot at De'Shaun even after De'Shaun was down. An eye-witness testified at trial that the victim was on his knees with his hands up telling the defendant he was surrendering when the defendant, firing three times, shot the victim to death.

At today's sentencing hearing, the defense argued for a grant of probation and credit for time already served.  If probation were to be denied, the defense argued a sentence no greater than six years was the appropriate sentence.

De'Shaun's mother, supported by both her mother and brother in the courtroom, traveled from the East Coast to address the Court. Without the use of notes, Mrs. Kinsey articulately spoke from her heart in providing a moving impact statement.

The prosecutor, DA Eyster, then argued that this was an aggravated manslaughter and an aggravated use of a firearm, both of which justified a 21-year sentence, the maximum sentence allowed by law given the verdicts.

The defendant intends to appeal his conviction and today's sentence.