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February 28, 2008
Posted: 03:49 PM ET

CANTON, Ohio – Jurors in Bobby Cutts’s murder case have spared his life, and he’s been sentenced to 57 years to life in prison for the killing his girlfriend and their unborn child.

ALT TEXT

Patricia Porter waits to speak during Bobby Cutts’ sentencing hearing.

In court, victim Jessie Davis’s mother, father, sisters and cousin directed tearful statements at Cutts, who remained stoic even as he made occasional eye contact with them. Read more

Davis’s mother, Patricia Porter, told us afterwards that she has forgiven Cutts and did not want a death verdict. Porter is raising Blake, the other child Davis had with Cutts.

The defense team also held a press conference after Cutts was sentenced. They said they will handle the appeal.

One issue will be the failure of the judge to instruct the jury on the lesser crime of manslaughter. Another will be the inconsistent verdicts.

The jury found Cutts guilty of the lesser charge of murder for killing Jessie Davis but the higher charge of aggravated murder for the killing of the nine-month fetus inside her. The only difference between the two crimes is that one death apparently occurred during a burglary and the other did not.

Cutts will be turned over to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction within a week. He will be 87 years old before he is eligible for parole.

Beth Karas, In Session correspondent

Filed under: Beth Karas • Sentencing


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Mary   February 28th, 2008 4:18 pm ET

God is helping Patricia Porter go through this horrible time in the life of her family. I too believe as Patricia does that God does want us to forgive as He forgives us. I pray also that Bobby Cutts comes to know the Lord and that Patricia Porter’s family will come to know forgiveness and peace once again. This can only come when we turn our pain and suffering over to God……he will carry us through.

Kathie   February 28th, 2008 4:46 pm ET

At last, finally someone who is capable of having the best interests of the children involved in a crime. Someone , who doesn’t turn on the
children who are just as much victims of crime. She understands
you don’t have to put hate in the heart of the children for the parent
who committed a crime. Instead, who someday wants them to
try and understand what happened, and be able to find forgiveness
in their hearts , like she has done. This woman is to be admired .
She not only talks the talk but walks the walk. I don’t know if I could
be as good and a forgiving person as she is , if something like this
happened to me.. I can only say I admire her greatly.

Pat   February 28th, 2008 5:06 pm ET

How very brave of Ms. Davis’ mother to forgive her daughter’s killer.

This must have been a hard decision for her.

I used to support the death penalty, but have since come around to the
idea that it is abhorent. I have often imagined that I would continue
to feel this way even if my wife or child were viciously murdered.

For me it has only been an academic exercise, but for Jessie Davis’
family it is very much the real deal.

I wish that we as a society could be as forgiving as Patricia Porter.

Punishment should be sure and swift, but it does not need to reduce
us to the levels of the criminals we are trying to punish.

licia   February 28th, 2008 5:17 pm ET

i think that part of the healing process is forgiving but not forgetting so kudos for her for being as strong as she is but for him his butt should never be let out of jail ever ever ever what is did is just undescribeable but he is a cop going to jail and everyone knows inmates dont like cops.

John   February 28th, 2008 5:24 pm ET

This guy should have got DEATH for what he did !!! He was a cop. Sworn to uphold. He DID NOT do that, he took life. He needs to DIE.

Cara DePalma   February 28th, 2008 5:57 pm ET

It’s a shame at all that he will ever be eligible for parole. God bless Jessie Davis’ family for having so much forgiveness in their hearts.

jh   February 28th, 2008 6:09 pm ET

i’ve been down a similar road. She’ll probably resent him in the months to come the more she misses Jessie and the person who was Chloe. Peace of God to the victims families.

He was such a “man” when he murdered them now he’s the biggest wus and cry baby I’ve ever seen. Save it for your cellmates boy.

Kerry Vanwert   February 28th, 2008 6:27 pm ET

Patricia Porter is an amazing woman in my book. Her ability to forgive Bobby Cutts shows her FAITH at it’s core! GOD BLESS HER… To have hate in your heart, is like taking poison and expecting the other person to get sick. I believe in GOD, and I believe in KARMA. Bobby Cutts will have to deal with both of those. Prison for an ex police officer and a killer of a woman and child ( his own) will most certainly cause him more grief than he could probably have ever imagined. I hope he lives every day of his 57 year sentence.

Henry   February 28th, 2008 7:34 pm ET

57 years is probably worse than a death sentence in this case. Being a former police officer, he will probably need to be kept the entire time in some type of solitary confinement, so he isn’t killed by other inmates.

Delores   February 28th, 2008 7:54 pm ET

Cutts is a lucky man. He should not appeal his case because he could have received a worse sentence. He should have received the “death penalty” for both murders. What a dog he was! How could a person stoop so low as to kill an unborn child? Even yet, his own child? Give me a break, he better be glad he got what he got, a prison sentence, and he should just leave well enough alone, ya think?

Ruth   February 28th, 2008 10:18 pm ET

Wow!What a truly wonderful example as what a christian is and evident Christ like spirit.I was a victim of a horrible act,and I have struggled with my christian walk, Having read in the bible and other chritian folks tellin me I had to forgive him all my life.Still to this day I never want to see him and when he gets outta prison feel I could hurt him ,if he’d ever come near my children or anyone!I wanna be more like Patricia Poter…guess really more like Jesus Christ,as she most diffinatly is “Gbu her”

kris Laansma   February 29th, 2008 12:20 am ET

This is one of the most moving things I have ever seen. Truly awe-inspired through Yahweh. I was moved to tears and reminded how cruelly we act toward our neighbors. I praise God that Patricia Porter was able to listen to God in this giant storm in her life, and do what I could possibly never do. Thank you Patricia, may God bless you with the courage to continually listen to him in all situations.

Diane   February 29th, 2008 3:37 am ET

I am not sure I could show the same grace that Patty Porter has if it were my daughter.

Mark   February 29th, 2008 8:18 am ET

If a civilian kills a cop, they get the death penalty depending on which state you live in. If a cop kills a civilian, they get a lesser sentence. Something is definitely wrong with this picture!

Beth   February 29th, 2008 8:37 am ET

I don’t understand why he should get an appeal???!!!! HE ADMITTED THAT HE KILLED HER….accident or not. Even if he “accidentally” killed Jessie, he INTENTIONALLY did NOTHING to make it possible to keep baby Chloe alive! Why should he get an appeal…Jessie and Chloe won’t!

Casey   February 29th, 2008 8:46 am ET

I can understand the victim’s familiy not wanting to go through a death penalty trial — my best friend’s family went through the same decision when he was murdered in church. But those who think they want “prison without parole” have to realize there is no such thing — there is ALWAYS parole and “time off for good behavior” which is usually 1 day off for every day served (in effect, cutting a sentence in half). YOU may not want to go through a death penalty trial, but try telling that to the family of this thug’s next victim! The CNN building shooter had a previous conviction for murder during robbery then got out of prison after a short sentence and shot his ex-girlfriend at the CNN building. When are we going to stop WAREHOUSING these criminals (do you really think they suffer in prison and “learn a lesson”?), stop WASTING taxpayer money (which could be used to help homeless and other unfortunates), and start EXECUTING these SOB’s — the crime rate would go down by at least 1/3 because there would be NO chance for recidivism!!

amanda brown   February 29th, 2008 9:02 am ET

I can not believe bobby cutts only got 57 years. He didn’t give jessie a chance for life or their unborn daughter. i say an eye for an eye. he shouldn’t get a chance to do anything but think about what he did for the rest of his life. I can’t believe he could kill jessie and his unborn daughter and leave his son alone with an open bottle of bleech and not feel anything. It’s sickening.

Marie   February 29th, 2008 10:59 am ET

she is a better woman than I am that’s for sure

Ed Harrisburg, Pa   February 29th, 2008 11:37 am ET

I saw this on TV and it made me sick to see it. How can this woman say the things she did. To me it showed she had no respect for her daughter’s life. How and she forgive him? How can she say she hopes he can get out of jail early so he can hold his son?… He shows no love for his son at all. Is she trying to be so politically correct she disrespects her daughter’s life? I for one would not be surprised if she too was having an affair with Cutt’s…

Sorry for the first post. I was in a hurry as I was at work…

Dolie   February 29th, 2008 12:00 pm ET

I understand her. Her grandchild’s mother was taken from him and she had no control over that. But she does have control over that same grandchild losing his father, good or bad.

She doesn’t want to bear the responsibility that comes with explainig to her granchild someday that she played a part in him losing one of his parents. Who wold want that responsibility?

And besides, I believe she is a catholic and regardless of faith (I am a catholic though) God says sin is sin. Two wrong never make a right. Ever.

We must forgive not forget and move on.

Maggie   February 29th, 2008 12:02 pm ET

The power of God to move people is amazing. I am happy to hear she has forgiven him. It takes a lot for a person to do such an act. Really it will help her grieve and move to raising a beautiful little boy. I am also glad he did not recieve the death penalty. You have worst people who have not horrible things who have not recieved that sentence. He has the his entire lifetime to think about what he did.

Amy, Canton, OH   February 29th, 2008 12:09 pm ET

I think it is absolutely ridiculous that Cutts’ defense team is going to appeal. The jury (was not on it, don’t know anybody who was) handed Bobby a SWEETHEART of a deal. He and his defense team truly need to just sit down, shut up and thank the good Lord his life was spared. God knows Jessie and Chloe never got THAT option. Patty Porter is a better woman than I would be. I’d want to see some serious damage done to Bobby. He needs to get on his knees and start praying NOW!!!!!

Miriam   February 29th, 2008 12:44 pm ET

People, if Jessie’s Mom can forgive, then why can’t we???

corrine   February 29th, 2008 1:53 pm ET

I’M SURE YOU WOULDNT WANT ANY ONE TO HAVE DEATH PENALTY,BUT HE KILLED YOUR DAUGHTER,AN HER BABY THATS CRAZY!!!!!!!!! HE DESURVES THE DEATH PENALTY

Danielle   February 29th, 2008 4:25 pm ET

I don’t think that the sentence for Bobby Cutts was fair. I believe that justice was not served, he did not spare their lives so therefore they shouldn’t have spared his. I mean lets think about this for a minute people how can you knowingly go over to your girlfriends house, kill her and your unborn child right in front of your son and then to top it all off, you leave the 3 year old in the house alone for 26 hours. Whats funny is that when it came down to your life, you want to cry and shed a million and one tears then talk about how you want a relationship with your other children what about the relationship that Blake wanted with his mother? I think that life is to good for this man. My father killed my mother when I was 6, I’m now 28 and don’t think that life was fair for him. My mother didn’t get to have a say in whether she lived or not so why should he or anyone else who decides to take anothers humans life.

tls   February 29th, 2008 9:15 pm ET

God bless that beautiful woman and that little precious baby that never asked to be born in the first place. Mr Cutts might have not gotten enough punishment here on earth, but you can best believe he will get his when he passes, the good lord will see to that.

Karen   February 29th, 2008 11:13 pm ET

God bless Blake. May he be able to live a normal life. God bless his family as they endeavor to give this innocent young child a normal life. To have seen what he witnessed is horrible. Father God, In Jesus name we pray that little Blake and his family are blessed with the strength to overcome this horrific act of cowardness. I pray Lord for comfort, peace and the daily strength to go on without his mommy and grandma’s daughter. Lord let this child be a blessing through all of this. Amen.

AS for the defendant, what a cheap coward, the worst kind — (another Caruth) I’ll pray that you ask for forgiveness.

Yoly   March 1st, 2008 10:39 pm ET

It’s proven that he couldn’t have killed her with just one blow to the neck, there is no way, and if that was the case, then he could have called 911 right away so they could have help, and at least save the baby. He left his only son by him self, a two year old, and then to top it off, he just dumped her in a field and didn’t say any thing for over a week so they wouldn’t be able to see what she died off.
His attorneys should not even try for an appeal, he was lucky to get life with the posibility of parole, he didn’t diserve it

Anna   March 2nd, 2008 11:58 am ET

It amazes me how the mother and grandmother in this case found forgiveness but people that didnt even know the family are so quick to not forgive. She knows that hate only destroys the one that hates. Forgiveness heals. Cutts ask for forgiveness.. did u miss that? what he did was wrong and he will pay for it. What is more of a punishment? Death by letha injections is over in less then 20 min. where being confined to a cell 23 out of 24 hours a day 24/ 7, 365, no physical human contact until he is 87 years old. To me the latter is a far great punishment both mentally and physically. To me the murders that get the death penality get off easy, they lay down and get injected with drugs and in a matter of min’s. it’s over.

michelle   March 2nd, 2008 12:41 pm ET

I live in Ohio and this whole ordeal has been on my mind since it all began. I believe he got a “light” sentence compaired to the sentence he gave Jessica and Chloe. Not to mention leaving Blake behind, something could have happened to that poor baby. Thank God he was physically fine. I just hope Blake does not grow up and have nightmares of what happened that sad day. I could not be like Jessica’s mom and forgive the one wus (man) that took my child and grandchild away from everyone. I believe that a murderer should die at least the same way he did the crime. Ohio should bring back the electric chair, I am so sick of people saying the death penalty is inhuman. The only thing I have to say to that is, the murderer did not show any humanity to his victim. Just like Bobby, he took Jessica (the mother of 2 of his children) and Chloe after he killed them and dumped them in a park. The whole time he knew where they were.

Diane   March 2nd, 2008 2:56 pm ET

I think that Patricia Porter is a truly remarkable woman. I know that if this had happened to my daughter, I definitely would not be as forgiving as she is. I would want to be the one pushing the plunger on the needle. I only hope Mr. Cutts gets his comeuppance in prison. We’ve all heard the stories of what happens to police officers there.

Scott H Smith   March 2nd, 2008 8:20 pm ET

I am against the death penalty. Death is short and there isn’t much pain to reflect on when you’re unconscious. If reincarnation exists you just put that serial killer back in diapers somewhere too.

I say life in prison for even the worst animals. Let them suffer for years instead of dying in the blink of an eye.

Kellie   March 3rd, 2008 6:29 am ET

Forgiveness is a gift that you don’t give to others. It’s a gift that you give yourself.

Boogie   March 7th, 2008 7:07 pm ET

The sentence was just. There are far worse crimes.

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