Judge: Killer 'a blight on our society'

A Hamilton County jury gave Daniel Davis something Davis didn't show John "Jack" Lauck -- mercy.

Because the jury declined to suggest Davis be sentenced to death for the August 2010 beating, strangulation and stabbing death of 79-year-old Lauck, the maximum sentence Davis faced Monday was life in prison without the possibility of parole.

That was the sentence imposed by Common Pleas Court Judge Nadine Allen as Davis looked on without emotion.

"He's not shown one fleck of remorse for anything he has done," Assistant Prosecutor David Prem told the judge. "He is a blight on our society."

Davis, an admitted heroin addict who would steal or do almost anything, including murder, to feed his habit, didn't speak except to give brief answers to questions. His attorneys said he will appeal his sentence.

Prosecutors sought the death penalty against Davis after Lauck's body was found Aug. 19, 2012, in his East Price Hill home. While the jury found him guilty as charged, it decided Davis shouldn't face death.

Lauck hired Davis to help him paint his house. Davis then tried to steal from Lauck's basement tools he could sell to buy heroin.

This will be the second long stretch of prison time for Davis. He previously served 20 years in prison for rape.