Last June, I wrote about a tragic accident in Baytown, TX, where a bunch of kids were joyriding in a stolen vehicle that crashed into a parked train. Four teenagers were killed in that wreck.
As I wrote then (and subsequently was criticized for being “uncaring” and “heartless”):
The parents are understandably upset and shaken. But their anger is misdirected. The fault of this accident lies 100% with their children. Instead they are blaming — the railroad company.
[snip]
Come on people — why is it so damn hard for people to accept responsibility and blame for bad things that happen?
I’m sorry that your kids are dead. But it’s not the trains fault, or the engineers fault, or the railroads fault that your kid drove a speeding and stolen SUV full of other curfew breaking kids into a parked train. It’s his [Bobby Davis] fault. And his fault alone.
In an update to that tragic story, the driver of the stolen Jeep Cherokee has been charged with felony murder in the deaths of his four friends.
[Editor's aside: is there really a misdemeanor murder charge?]
Investigators said [Bobby] Davis stole the Jeep Cherokee and was joyriding with five other youths when the accident occurred about 4 a.m. June 14.Killed were Davis’ 14-year-old brother, Austin, and three girls — Loral Moyers, 12; her cousin, Macy Moyers, 14; and Colette Windham, 14. The teens had sneaked out of their families’ homes, investigators said.
[snip]
Coleman said several factors went into the decision to charge Davis with four counts of felony murder. “This kid killed four other kids in one act, which occurred after he had stolen two cars that night,” he said. “He actually stole one and it broke down and then he went down the street and stole another.”
Coleman said he hopes the seriousness of the charges sends a message. “Maybe kids will see we actually take this seriously and if they decide to make this type of mistake they have to be ready to answer for it,” he said.
This is a horrible tragedy for everybody. Even for the 15-year old Davis.
But prosecuting Davis to the full extent of the law is the right thing to do. He killed four other kids. It was his fault. And he should be held fully responsible and accountable:
If Davis is convicted as a juvenile, he could receive 40 years in jail for each death, said Robert Pelton, a longtime Houston criminal defense attorney. The boy could start his sentence in the juvenile system and be transferred to prison when he turns 21.
Editor’s aside: is there really a misdemeanor murder charge?
Misdemeanor manslaughter.
I think when they call it felony murder, they mean a murder that happened during the commission of a felony. In this case, it would be car theft.
Can you imagine being a 15 year old fkup, waking up in the hospital with all your friends dead, and looking at spending the majority of your life in prison? Oh, well. I’m sure he’ll find some fat european chicks to write him and send him money.
i feel that these kids had no intention of being killed or commiting any serious crimes …i mean who knows….they might have been on drugs as to why they were doing this….i dont think the boy should be held responsible for killin those kids because obviously they took it apon themselves to go joyride iwth him so they should take responsibility for their falts but tooo bad theya ren’t here to do that ….and thats what the parents need to realize!
I’m sure I’d think differently if it was my kid being prosecuted. It is such a traic, needless loss of life. It is important to realize that they could have killed others in their pursuit of fun! Stealing cars… not just one, but two. Where were the parents? Something is seriously wrong with this picture!
I’m only fifteen but i understand the siriousness of this and i dont think Bobby should be punished as bad as hes is getting he surely had no intention on killing his fiends his brother and his girlfriend why cant people see that no he shouldnt have stolen any cars but why punish him for a complete accident i mean i can understand him getting punished for the two cars but i think people should stop trying to play god get sirious and think if you were Bobby’s mother would you rather lose two kids or one not just for Bobby but the whole state of Texas that cares
Bobby shouldnt be punished.
If you think about it,its not completely his fault.
The people that were in the car with him WEREN’T forced to be in the car with him.
That was a complete accident.
He should only be charged with like Auto Theft or whatever.
Just like J said,he had no intention of killing those 3 kids.
So ease up.
I THINK THIS IS STUPID WHY SHOULD HE BE PUNISHED FOR AN ACCIDENT AND HE DIDNT FORCE THEM TO GET IN THE CAR EITHER I FEEL SO BAD AND FOR HIS MOTHER Y SHOULD SHE HAVE TWO LOSE TWO KIDS A JUDGE AND GOD ARE TWO DIFFERENT THING’S
[editor's note: so is your name Chance Barrett or J Mize? Both names resolve to the exact same IP address. Pick one name and stick to it, would you?]
Bobby is not being punished for his “intentions”. He’s being punished for the results of his actions.
1st of all, Austin Davis was Bobbys brother. I dont think he would ever try to kill his OWN brother. 2nd of all, Colette Windham was Bobbys girlfriend. Bobby loved Colette very much. Bobby changed his attitude and grades just for Colette. He would NEVER want her to die. Especially like that. Its NOT his fault. He is a 15 year-old. He has the rest of his childhood. I KNOW that Bobby would not want to kill 4 of his friends. And also he shouldnt be punished based on the “results of his actions.” If you meet Bobby you would see that he is a very kind well rounded person. He should not be charged with MURDER. The most he should be charged for is manslaughter and two counts of auto-theft.
first of all i stand in disagrement with all of you.
bobby davis didnt purposly kill those kids i have no doubt in my mind that he didnt mean to kill those kids but,
say your holding a gun and you dont think its loaded accually you could put your life on it thats its not loaded. You act like your gonna shoot someone, and when you pull the trigger a bullet comes out. Did you mean to kill that person NO, but its still murder.
Do i think he should be charged for murder ugh yeah.
They all made a mistake that night 4 of them have already suffered now bobby and blake should to.
these kids had a choice to get into the car or not when your in this age you only think about different ways of having fun me and you both been thrue it all. Unfortenatly, these kids had to pay a very horrible consequence but god still gave these other kids a chance to live so who are you to judge gods word. He takes who he wants so instead of these people focusing on looking for somebody to blame what they should be focusing on is keeping there kids memories alive. The other children hove been blames enough beccause there going to have this in there consiouse for ever. But you are not god to choose these other kids destiny so instead of looking for who to blame you should help these kids on realizing what happend to these girls and help him learn from what happend.
Ridiculous, Denise. Most of us have made the choice not to break the law or disobey our parents regardless of peer pressure or a desire to have “fun.” So, yes, they only have themselves to blame.
Friend of the Family — You’re right on…we don’t punish people for their “intent”. We punish people for their actions.
And Bobby’s actions, starting with stealing that Jeep, killed four other kids. He must and should be punished for his actions regardless of whether he intended them or not.
How dare you even try to understand what happened you are not even from Baytown, I knew them and you have no god for saken right to judge them. I will never hate Bobby for what he did but I will have to forgive and forget. He made a huge mistake and he knows that but he still is a good person. Yes he should be punished but don’t think that you can stamp a horrible reputation on him if you never knew him. Until the day that you can say that you knew Loral, Macy, Collette, Austin, or Bobby let the deceased rest in peace.
I am just wondering if anyone has any updates on this case? Was he charged as an adult or was he charged as a juvenile? Has anything been done to him? Tomorrow is coming up on the one year anniversary of the loss of four teenagers. They are still on my mind but beings I have moved to Alabama I know longer hear anything about it. I just want all the families to know that my heart goes out to each of you! I am a mother of a 16 year old son and a 14 year old daughter and son! I can’t even begin to imagine the pain each of you are going through!
My prayers go out to each of you tomorrow as you go through the replays of that night of the lost teenagers!
Much Respect,
Wendi Jones
The trial is set for July 17th. He will be tried as a juvenile. You can go to the Baytown Sun website and see the two articles about the 1 year anniversary of the incident.
Someone else’s tragedy and reactions are not ours to judge. I speak from experience. My husband was killed in a bike accident and I fell on the floor crying when i read what people thought they had a right to say about the accident.Think about losing the person next to you who you love more than life and people thinking they can judge you and them anyway they want. Trust me your views would change
I will say that my family just moved to Baytown. One of my teenage sons and I were driving down Archer (lost) and I found myself suddenly approaching and crossing train tracks. My reaction.. alarm, anger, concern and sadness.. I honestly didn’t see the markers until i passed back through with more awareness to look for them. I later heard the unfortunate fate of some very young people and it pained me to remember when a childhood friend’s mom was the driver in a similar fatal train-car accident. How easily it happened to her or could have been me, or my teen drivers (3 of them), or my husband, or parents. Whose right? Whose wrong? answer all and none. Only question that matters now is what did you personally learn?
I have heard that Bobby Davis plead guilty to all 4 counts and will be sentenced on Sept. 23rd.
I knew them all and bobby she not be punished
i was wondering if their are any NEW updates on this case?,
i know bobby is in jail now, but does anyone know how long he is suppost to be in their for? if so can someone post the answer’s to
my questions please.
thanks!