Saratoga County District Attorney Karen A. Heggen announced today that the Hon. James A. Murphy III sentenced Chalmers D. Davis, (DOB 9/11/1977), originally of Schenectady, NY, to a total of forty (40) years in a state correctional facility following his March 28, 2022 convictions by a trial jury of Assault in the First Degree, Attempted Assault in the First Degree, Assault in the Second Degree, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree in connection with an August 2021 assault on Caroline Street. Davis was also sentenced to five (5) years of post-release supervision.
On August 10, 2021, Defendant Davis nearly stabbed one man to death and came within inches of slashing another man’s throat following a late-night verbal dispute on Caroline Street in Saratoga Springs. The victim ultimately survived given the assistance of several Good Samaritans together with the quick response of the Saratoga Springs Police Department (SSPD), particularly the Sergeant on duty who immediately applied a tourniquet to the victim’s slashed arm. He was rushed to the Albany Medical Center by the Saratoga Springs Fire Department Paramedics where the victim underwent emergency surgery—saving his life. The SSPD Special Investigations Unit provided valuable assistance in identifying Chalmers Davis as the perpetrator of these crimes which resulted in the quick apprehension of the defendant and collection of key physical and video evidence that was presented at trial.
Prosecuting Assistant District Attorney Joseph A. Frandino requested that the defendant be sentenced to the maximum period of incarceration allowed by law given his near-thirty (30) year violent criminal history throughout the Capital Region and his total lack of remorse for his actions. “The Defendant is someone who will nearly kill someone over a perceived personal insult, genuinely believe that he’s done nothing wrong, and afterward deem those he nearly killed to be less valuable than himself,” stated Frandino.
Defendant Davis addressed the court, saying he wished that “none of that stuff happened that night…[they] should have reached a peaceful resolution.”
Judge Murphy replied to the defendant’s statement that “If only [defendant] had tried to reach a peaceful resolution, we would not be here.” Judge Murphy then reviewed the history of the case, the defendant’s prior criminal convictions, defendant’s social history, and the evidence presented at trial. Judge Murphy noted that the evaluative analysis in the pre-sentence investigation report concluded: “The Defendant offered a superficial level of remorse at best. His acts of violence on the night of August 10, 2021 were callous and demonstrated a complete disregard for human life.” Judge Murphy highlighted that the video captured a “bone-chilling scene to watch” and the defendant demonstrated “an astonishing lack of remorse.”
District Attorney Heggen commended the Saratoga Springs Police Department and the witnesses for their hard work, perseverance, and commitment to ensuring that Davis was held accountable.
“As I stated after his conviction,” Heggen stated “…thanks to the quick response of the Saratoga Springs Police Department and their calm under pressure that this was not a murder trial. We must thank both them and the Good Samaritans that night for the fact that both victims were able to walk into Court and take the stand at trial.”
DA Heggen noted “This conviction and sentence should send a strong message to anyone who chooses to come to downtown Saratoga Springs and break the law as these decisions have consequences. As evidenced by Mr. Davis’ conviction and sentence, very significant consequences.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Joseph Frandino and Samuel Maxwell with the assistance of District Attorney Investigator Jack Barney.