by St. Paul, MN – A 17-year-old Minnesota teen has been sentenced to more than two decades in prison for his role in the fatal stabbing of a 19-year-old man, a case that involved a younger accomplice and chilling evidence uncovered during the investigation. Prosecutors said the victim was stabbed 22 times, most of the wounds inflicted from behind.
Incident Overview
Jeremy Joe Davila, 17, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Jay’Mier K. Givens, 19, and was sentenced Friday to 25½ years in prison, with credit for roughly eight months already served. A second suspect, a 14-year-old boy, was also charged with second-degree murder, though authorities have not publicly identified him due to his age.
Timeline of Events
Police with the St. Paul Police Department responded around 11:30 p.m. on March 31, 2025, to reports of an unresponsive male lying in the street. Paramedics transported Givens to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
An autopsy later determined Givens suffered 22 stab wounds, including 18 to his back, as well as injuries to his arm, neck, and hand, according to court records.
Investigation and Police Findings
Detectives learned that Givens had gone out that night with Davila and the younger suspect, identified in court documents as JC. The two suspects, who are foster brothers, lived about three blocks from where Givens was found.
Investigators used GPS data from Givens’ phone to place him near the suspects’ residence around the time of the killing. Surveillance footage also captured three individuals entering a wooded area, but only two leaving shortly afterward.
A nearby resident reported unusual behavior at the suspects’ home in the hours following the homicide, including windows being covered. Police later obtained a search warrant and searched the residence on April 8, where they recovered two knives hidden in the basement rafters and clothing consistent with what the suspects were seen wearing on surveillance video.
Juvenile Arrest and Journal Evidence
The younger suspect was arrested on May 1 at a temporary foster home. According to investigators, foster parents had encouraged the teen to write down his thoughts due to noticeable anxiety in the days after the killing.
Police said the notebook contained entries referencing the homicide, including statements acknowledging the attack. While the teen initially denied involvement, he later admitted to chasing and stabbing Givens, investigators said. He also told police the suspects lured Givens outside by falsely claiming they were in possession of a stolen vehicle.
After the stabbing, both suspects returned home, cleaned the knives, and hid them in the basement, according to the affidavit.
Emotional Sentencing Hearing
Family members of Givens addressed the court during Davila’s sentencing. His uncle, DeWayne Givens, spoke about the sense of betrayal felt by the family.
“I thought that he was your homey, bro,” he said, according to The Pioneer Press.
Davila kept his head down during much of the hearing and briefly addressed the court when asked to speak, saying, “May he rest in peace.”
Givens’ mother, Waynesha Givens, shared the struggles she faced raising her son after becoming a parent at age 14. She held his graduation cap and high school diploma, earned just four months before his death, as she spoke about his life and legacy.
“It was not easy getting there, but we did it,” she said.
Conclusion
The sentencing brings accountability for one of the teens involved in the killing of Jay’Mier Givens, while leaving unresolved questions about the long-term outcome for the younger suspect. For Givens’ family, the case remains a painful reminder of a life cut short just months after a major milestone.
Share your experiences in the comments below.
