Caroline Street attacker gets 40-year sentence

Davis punished for stabbing during last summer

A Schenectady man has received the maximum sentence allowed by law for a stabbing that occurred on Caroline Street in Saratoga Springs last summer, according to Saratoga County District Attorney Karen A. Heggen’s office.

Chalmers D. Davis, 44, was sentenced Friday to 40 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision, prosecutors said.

“This conviction and sentence should send a strong message to anyone who chooses to come to downtown Saratoga Springs and break the law as these decisions have consequences. As evidenced by Mr. Davis’ conviction and sentence, very significant consequences,” Heggen said in a statement.

A trial jury on March 28 convicted Davis of assault, attempted assault and weapon possession charges in connection to the Caroline Street incident.

Davis nearly stabbed one man to death and came within inches of slashing another man’s throat following a latenight argument on Caroline Street on Aug. 10, 2021, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors said the victim would have bled to death if not for the quick action of a group of bystanders and the Saratoga Springs Police Department. An officer on duty applied a tourniquet to the victim’s slashed arm.

The victim was rushed to Albany Medical Center and underwent lifesaving surgery, prosecutors said.

Davis argued at trial that he was acting in selfdefense, but the jury rejected his claim after a review of the video evidence and testimony from several witnesses and police, Heggen said.

Prosecuting Assistant District Attorney Joseph A. Frandino requested that the defendant be sentenced to the maximum incarceration period allowed by law citing Davis’ criminal history and alleged lack of remorse.

“The defendant is someone who will nearly kill someone over a perceived personal insult, genuinely believe that he’s done nothing wrong, and afterward deem those he nearly killed to be less valuable than himself,” Frandino said.

Davis addressed the court, saying he wished that “none of that stuff happened that night, (they) should have reached a peaceful resolution.”

Judge James A. Murphy II agreed with the prosecution that Davis lacked remorse and gave him the maximum sentence. “If only (Davis) had tried to reach a peaceful resolution, we would not be here,” the district attorney’s office quoted Murphy as saying.