Ex-NFL Player Cierre Wood Sentenced to Life for Brutal Murder of Girlfriend's 5-Year-Old Daughter

August 14, 2024
Ex-NFL Player Cierre Wood Sentenced to Life for Brutal Murder of Girlfriend's 5-Year-Old Daughter
  • Cierre Wood, a former NFL running back, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his girlfriend's five-year-old daughter, La’Rayah Davis, in Las Vegas.

  • He received a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 10 years for the murder charge and an additional 28 months to six years for child abuse, to be served consecutively.

  • La’Rayah Davis died in April 2019 with over 100 bruises, 20 broken ribs, and a liver laceration, which authorities believe was fatal.

  • At the time of the incident, Wood was in a relationship with La’Rayah's mother, Amy Taylor, who also faced charges related to the child's death.

  • Amy Taylor pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and child abuse, admitting to sitting on La’Rayah during discipline.

  • Investigations revealed that La’Rayah suffered extensive mental and physical abuse, including being forced to perform intense workouts as punishment.

  • Wood claimed he was trying to help La’Rayah get on the 'right path' due to her being 'chunky', which he used to justify the abuse.

  • Initially, Wood claimed La’Rayah hit her head after falling backwards, but emergency responders found her body cold and stiff upon arrival.

  • An autopsy revealed multiple contusions on Davis's skull, indicating severe physical abuse.

  • Wood entered an Alford plea, allowing him to maintain his innocence while admitting guilt in a formal manner.

  • In July, Taylor was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the murder charge and received an additional 8 to 20 years for child abuse.

  • Wood pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and felony child abuse as part of a plea deal with prosecutors, receiving the possibility of parole after 10 years for the murder charge.

Summary based on 7 sources


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