Pensacola, FL – A 38-year-old Florida man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after beating and strangling his girlfriend to death during a violent argument over her giving away his possessions. Authorities said Davarius James was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 50-year-old Claudette Robinson, whose body was found in their shared home earlier this year.
The Incident: Domestic Dispute Turns Deadly
On the morning of February 3, 2025, officers with the Pensacola Police Department responded to a home on the 900 block of North 7th Avenue following a report of a domestic disturbance. When police arrived, they discovered Claudette Robinson dead inside the residence, showing signs of severe physical trauma.
Investigators said James had called a mutual friend that morning, asking her to check on Robinson. When the woman entered the home, she found Robinson unresponsive, with her right eye swollen shut and her body “cold to the touch.”
According to the First Judicial State Attorney’s Office, the friend told James they needed to call 911, but he became nervous, saying, “This isn’t going to look good.” Moments later, he fled the scene.
When officers instructed the friend to call James on speakerphone, he reportedly told her he “would have to tell them about last night,” admitting, “She been dead.”
Investigation and Evidence Presented
Detectives found clear evidence of a brutal attack. The medical examiner’s report revealed that Robinson suffered multiple fractures to her ribs, chest, and throat, as well as hemorrhaging to her brain and spinal cord. Her hyoid bone was broken — an injury consistent with manual strangulation.
The examiner compared the extent of her injuries to those sustained by victims of a severe automobile crash.
James was arrested later that week and interviewed by investigators after being read his Miranda rights. He claimed that the two had argued the previous night after Robinson gave away some of his personal items without permission. He insisted that she “fell and hit her head” during the dispute, but investigators said his account did not match the evidence.
“He became agitated when questioned about how she could have facial injuries if she fell backward,” detectives wrote in the affidavit.
James further told police that Robinson was “wobbly” and later “stopped talking,” so he poured cold water on her to revive her. When she became unresponsive, he allegedly fell asleep beside her, claiming he was “satisfied she was not dead.”
Court Proceedings and Life Sentence
During his trial in Escambia County Circuit Court, prosecutors presented compelling evidence of second-degree murder. The jury deliberated for less than 30 minutes before finding James guilty.
On Wednesday, Judge John L. Miller sentenced him to life in a state correctional facility, calling the killing a “brutal beating and strangling attack.”
Prosecutors also introduced digital evidence showing James had performed Google searches immediately after the murder, including:
- “If I performed CPR over five hours ago, why isn’t it working?”
- “How to tell if someone is dead.”
- “How long can someone live off CPR.”
- “How to tell if someone has been choked by the neck.”
These searches, prosecutors said, were made after Robinson had already died.
Rather than asserting his innocence, James’ defense attorney pleaded with jurors to convict him of manslaughter instead, but the jury rejected the lesser charge.
Background: History of Domestic Violence
Court records revealed that James had a prior domestic violence history involving Robinson. In a previous incident, Robinson reportedly told police she was afraid that James would kill her.
Investigators said the fatal attack began after Robinson gave away some of James’s belongings to friends and relatives — an act that “angered him beyond control.”
Prosecutors described the murder as premeditated rage, emphasizing that the extent of injuries demonstrated a prolonged and violent assault rather than an accident.
“This was not a fall or a single blow,” a prosecutor said in court. “It was a deliberate act of violence that left a woman beaten, strangled, and broken.”
Community Reaction and Legal Closure
The case has drawn strong reactions in Pensacola, with local domestic violence advocates urging victims to seek help before it’s too late. The Escambia County State Attorney’s Office praised the swift jury verdict, saying it sends a message about accountability in domestic abuse cases.
James will serve life in prison without the possibility of parole, ensuring he never harms another person again.
Conclusion
The tragic killing of Claudette Robinson highlights the deadly consequences of domestic violence and the importance of early intervention. Prosecutors said the case stands as a reminder that “behind every statistic is a life taken far too soon.”
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