‘Valley Pickup Truck Rapist’ Receives Life Sentence

A Woodland Hills man dubbed “the Valley pickup truck rapist” was sentenced to nearly 340 years in state prison Thursday for the sexual assaults on four women and one girl.

The sentencing, which amounts to life in prison for 30-year-old Howard August Davis Jr., followed emotional pleas by assault victims, Davis and his father and sister.

“I’ve been permanently scarred by this cruel pervert,” Deborah Justice, 27, of Canoga Park told Superior Court Judge John S. Fisher. “Please, Your Honor. Put him away for the rest of his life.”

Kelle Brydon spoke on behalf of her daughter, who was 10 years old when Davis assaulted her.

“I don’t want to see him ever get out,” Brydon said. “I’m afraid if he does get out he’ll do it again.”

Davis was convicted last month of 41 counts of sexual assault including rape, sodomy, forcible oral copulation, kidnapping and robbery. A jury found that Davis, whose defense never disputed the assault charges but claimed he suffered from a multiple personality disorder, was sane at the time of the assaults in May 1994.

Davis, his lawyer, Peter L. Knecht, and relatives asked that he be sent to a state mental hospital instead of prison.

“I am so deeply remorseful for the victims and the victims’ families,” Davis said in a brief statement. “I was definitely not sane. . . . I hope one day I can return to the community. . . . I’m not a monster.”

Davis’ sister, Melinda Nelson, 38, tearfully apologized to the victims and their relatives.

“At this time I feel he has been punished,” Nelson said. “I’m just really sorry that this has happened to all of you.”

Howard Davis Sr., a retired Beverly Hills police officer, asked Fisher to remember that his son had never before been in trouble with the law.

“If you don’t give him some hope I don’t know what’s going to happen to my family,” the elder Davis said.

Fisher praised the victims for their strength in helping the Davis prosecution, including testifying during the trial.

The judge then imposed sentences, citing circumstances surrounding the 41 counts of sexual assault, and ultimately arrived at a total of 338 years and four months.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Martin L. Herscovitz, who prosecuted the case, said Davis will not be eligible for parole until serving half the sentence, 169 years and two months.

After sentencing, the victims embraced and spoke of their relief.

“It’s where he belongs,” said Lori Jones, 18.