by Marty Trese, KnoxPages.com editor
MOUNT VERNON – Judge Otho Eyster sentenced David R. Scott, Jr., 38, Mount Vernon, to a 25 year prison term for causing the death of four year old Kendrick Breece, on August 12, 2012. According to Knox County Prosecutor John Thatcher, Scott was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and endangering children charges for physically abusing Kendrick and his three siblings.
David Scott, center, is led away to prison after sentencing.
KnoxPages.com photo
Statements from several family members were read in court before sentencing. Prosecutor Thatcher said the children’s mental health counselor said that making statements at the sentencing is part of their therapy. Kendrick’s young brother wrote a statement directed to Scott and it was read aloud, “You were bad to us, I hate you so much. Do not come after us. I have a BB gun.” Kendrick’s sister said “While you are in prison I hope you die. You are the sickest person I know. I hope someone beats you with a paddle.” And the children’s grandmother, Kim O’Ryan said, “Three generations of this family were changed forever…you took Kendrick’s life in a vicious, savage and heinous way.” The children’s great aunt, Mary Beth Hecht, said that Scott withheld food from the children and only allowed them to eat one sandwich for days. Hecht continued that “(Kendrick’s sister) was punished for begging him (Scott) to stop terrorizing Kendrick.” She said Kendrick’s siblings will be troubled their whole lives.
Tabitha Raver
The children’s mother, Tabitha M. Raver, 27, was convicted earlier this year of endangering children and sentenced to 72 months in prison for failing to protect the children from Scott’s abuse. Detectives Craig Feeney and Tom Bumpus, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, investigated the cases.
In other court news:
Rick O. Black, 23, Mount Vernon, was convicted of three counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs and sentenced to 17 months in prison. Thatcher said on July 1, 2 and 3, Black sold 46 Percocet pills to a confidential informant. Detective Corporal Matt Dailey, Mount Vernon Police Department, investigated the case. In a separate case, Black was convicted of misuse of credit cards and sentence to a concurrent prison term of 9 months.
Timothy W. Dugger, 29, Mount Vernon, was convicted of aggravated assault for breaking the finger of a 46 year old female acquaintance during an argument in her residence, on May 16. Dugger was sentenced to 17 months in prison. Detective Tim Arnold, MVPD, investigated the case.
Koury Lee Dean, 27, Mount Vernon, was convicted of assaulting a police officer and sentenced to 17 months in prison. Thatcher said on November 11, 2012, Patrolman Matt Jones was injured while attempting to restrain Dean during an arrest. Jones and two other officers had responded to Dean’s residence on a disturbance call. Dean was also ordered to pay the officer’s medical bills. Patrolman Rex Young investigated the case.
James A. Cooper, Jr., 25, Howard, was convicted of failing to register as a sexual offender and sentenced to 180 days in jail and a three year term of community control supervision. Cooper was convicted of a sexually oriented offense in New York, in 2006. Thatcher said Cooper failed to register his address with the Sheriff’s Office, on June 1. Detective David Light investigated the case.
Demetrius A. Caldwell, 26, Mount Vernon, was convicted of three counts of trafficking in cocaine and sentenced to 90 days in jail and a three year term of community control supervision. Caldwell was also ordered to complete a drug treatment program at a halfway house. Thatcher said Caldwell and a co-defendant sold heroin to a confidential informant, on April 26 and 29 and again on May 1. Detective Feeney investigated the case.
On June 15, 2012, Matthew W. Brady, 27, was convicted of attempted domestic violence and sentenced to 60 days in jail and a three year term of community control supervision. On July 16, Brady was arrested on a new domestic violence charge. Brady admitted the new charge is a violation of his community control supervision, and he was sentenced to 11 months in prison.
