St. Paul Teen Sentenced to 25½ Years for Snapchat-Fueled Stabbing Death
Table of Contents
A St. Paul teenager was sentenced to 25½ years in prison on Friday for his role in the brutal stabbing death of his friend, Jay’Mier Keymari Givens, 19, a tragedy allegedly stemming from a threat made via Snapchat. The sentencing marks a somber conclusion to a case that has gripped the St. Paul community and raised questions about the role of social media in escalating youth violence.
A Brutal Attack Near Harding High School
On March 31, first responders discovered Givens lying unresponsive on a sidewalk near Harding High School in the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood. He had sustained 22 stab wounds, the majority to his back and one to his neck. Despite a pulse upon arrival, Givens was pronounced dead approximately 30 minutes later at Regions Hospital.
Police quickly arrested Jeremy Joe Davila, who had turned 17 the day of the killing, and a 14-year-old boy in connection with the murder. Last month, Davila waived his right to be tried as a juvenile and pleaded guilty in Ramsey County adult court to aiding and abetting second-degree intentional murder, accepting the recommended sentence to avoid a potentially harsher penalty.
Conflicting Accounts and a Fabricated Story
According to the complaint against Davila, the 14-year-old accomplice told police that both he and Davila repeatedly stabbed Givens. The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office has refrained from releasing information about the 14-year-old due to Minnesota’s data privacy laws.
The events leading up to the stabbing were initially obscured by a fabricated story. Investigators learned that the teens had texted Givens, falsely claiming they had a stolen Kia vehicle and inviting him to “smoke n chill.” This deception, the 14-year-old later admitted, was a deliberate attempt to lure Givens, as they “knew it would interest Givens.”
However, the underlying motive for the attack was revealed to be a threat Givens had made on Snapchat towards the 14-year-old’s 1½-year-old son. The 14-year-old was reportedly deeply upset by this threat, setting in motion a chain of events that culminated in the fatal stabbing.
Grief and a Mother’s Plea
The courtroom was filled with emotion on Friday as Waynesha Givens, Jay’Mier’s mother, delivered a poignant victim impact statement. She displayed her son’s graduation hat and diploma from Journeys Secondary School, earned just four months before his death, stating, “It was not easy getting there, but we did it.”
She spoke of the profound loss, acknowledging she had given birth to Jay’Mier at age 14. “Knowing that he only had this short time on Earth is just horrible to me,” she said, but added, “But Jay’Mier is still here with us, I feel it in my heart. And he made me who I am today.”
Family members echoed the sentiment of loss and disbelief. Jay’Mier’s uncle, DeWayne Givens, looked directly at Davila and said, “I thought that he was your homey, bro.” His aunt, Rodnisha Love, emphasized the senselessness of the act, stating, “That these kids took his life is not fair.”
Admission of Guilt and a Final Plea
At his December 5 plea hearing, Davila, through his attorney Bobby Champion, admitted to meeting with Givens and the 14-year-old to smoke marijuana in a wooded area near the high school. He confirmed that an argument ensued, after which both he and his accomplice pulled out knives and stabbed Givens as he attempted to flee.
Despite the opportunity to address the court before sentencing, Davila remained silent. When asked by Judge Jacob Kraus if he was certain, he simply responded, “May he rest in peace.” Davila’s attorney informed the court that his client was remorseful and had taken responsibility for his actions.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of escalating conflicts, the potential dangers of social media interactions, and the enduring pain of loss for families and communities impacted by violence.
