Cedar Rapids man will serve two years for fatal fight

Virginia Davis said in a victim's impact statement Tuesday that she forgives Henry Rogers for killing her son Dustin, but that his death has “taken a big piece of my heart.”

“The only way I'm coping with this is knowing that Dustin is in heaven,” Virginia Davis said in her statement read by B.J. Franklin, of Horizon's Survivors Program, to the court.

Dustin Davis, 35, of Georgia, died last July after being hit in the chin by Henry Rogers, 28, of Cedar Rapids, during a fight in front of 370 15th St. SE and around to a house on 16th Street. Davis fell and hit the pavement, causing a blood vessel to rupture in his head. He died the next day.

Rogers pleaded guilty March 28 to involuntary manslaughter. He was sentenced Tuesday to two years in prison and ordered to pay fines and $16,938 for victim restitution.

Donnie Davis of Georgia, Dustin's father, said in a victim's impact statement he wanted Rogers to know what an impact his “beloved” son's death – “this unreal event” – has had on his family.

“There has been a financial cost, but the emotional cost is greater,” Donnie Davis said. “It's nearly impossible to describe, but I know he is in heaven.”

Donnie Davis said this is a serious crime and asked the judge to keep Rogers off the streets to protect the people of Iowa.

“No family should endure what we've experience and what we we continue to experience,” he said. “You may not get what you deserve on earth but you will before God.”

Rogers told the Davis family he was sorry before being sentenced.

“I didn't mean for this to happen. I swear I didn't,” Rogers said.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Mitchell Turner told Rogers the Davis' gave him some “very generous” comments and told him he needed to make some changes in his life.

“I'm giving you the longest prison term I can give you,” Turner said. “You took a man's life – there's a cost, a price to be paid. I believe you are sorry, but neither you nor I will be able to help the Davis' with the burden they will now have to bear.”

According to court records,

Rogers has a lengthy criminal history, including several assaults, since 1999. He was arrested 47 times before this fatal fight.