Sylvester Davis pleaded guilty in court, Monday.
/ Tonya Brown
Sylvester Davis pleaded guilty to four counts of armed robbery and accessory before the fact of murder Monday in Florence.
Police say Davis and Dondre Scott were robbing people outside hotels along I-95 in June 2009 when they killed Clair Chaffin, 83, outside the Thunderbird Motor Inn in Florence.
Chaffin was from Florida and stayed at the Thunderbird while on his way home from visiting friends. Chaffin served in WWII and was a decorated war hero.
Prosecutors say Davis fired shots at Chaffin to scare him but intentionally missed. They said Scott fired the deadly shot.
A jury found Scott guilty of armed robbery and murder in August. He was sentenced to life in prison.
Chaffin's daughter and grandson spoke in court Monday and described Chaffin as a man who would give you the shirt off his back.
Before sentencing, Judge Michael Nettles talked with Davis about WWII. He told Davis he must study and learn the importance of WWII and the veterans who served in that war during his incarceration.
Judge Nettles sentenced Davis to 45 years in prison. He has to serve 85 percent of his sentence and isn't eligible for parole. He has prior convictions for burglary and grand larceny.
