Pulaski County, Arkansas – A Pulaski County jury has sentenced 26-year-old Devontea Clay to a total of 120 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections for the 2023 murders of two teenagers in Scott. The sentencing follows a guilty verdict for the double homicide that shocked the community and has left lasting grief among families and residents.
Clay, who had been held at the Pulaski County Regional Detention Center on unrelated charges, was arrested on July 15, 2024, following an investigation by the Arkansas State Police’s Criminal Investigation Division. Authorities said the investigation focused on the shooting deaths of 19-year-old LaMarion Gilliams of North Little Rock and 16-year-old Sucram O’Donald of Little Rock, whose bodies were discovered on May 23, 2023, near Arkansas Highway 161, south of Scott in Pulaski County.
The jury’s decision resulted in two 50-year sentences for the murders, with an additional 10-year enhancement for firearm use applied to each sentence. The court ordered that the sentences be served consecutively, meaning one sentence begins after the other ends, creating a total of 120 years behind bars for Clay. The sentence ensures that Clay will remain incarcerated for the remainder of his life.
According to an Arkansas State Police spokesperson, Clay faces additional criminal charges pending in five other jurisdictions along the Interstate 40 corridor, spanning Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee. These charges include first-degree battery, multiple counts of aggravated robbery, and other firearm and drug-related offenses. Authorities indicated that Clay’s criminal history and pending charges paint a broader picture of his involvement in violent crime across multiple states.
The murders of Gilliams and O’Donald prompted an intensive investigation by law enforcement. “The community has waited for justice for over two years, and today’s sentencing reflects the seriousness of these crimes,” officials said. The case also highlights the collaboration between local and state agencies in investigating violent offenses and holding offenders accountable.
Families and community members expressed relief at the sentencing, hoping it will provide some measure of closure following the tragedy. The impact of the murders continues to resonate in Pulaski County, underscoring the devastating effects of violent crime on families and neighborhoods.
With Clay now serving consecutive sentences totaling 120 years, authorities emphasize that the sentence serves both justice and public safety, preventing him from posing a continued threat. Meanwhile, the pending charges in other jurisdictions suggest additional legal proceedings may follow, potentially extending accountability for Clay’s past actions.
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The court’s ruling demonstrates the legal system’s ability to impose significant consequences for violent crimes, reinforcing the principle that such acts carry severe and lasting penalties. As Pulaski County reflects on the outcome, law enforcement and community leaders continue to work on measures aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future.
Clay’s case serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of swift investigative work, interagency cooperation, and the judicial process in responding to violent crime while providing a measure of justice to the victims and their families.
