Man convicted in 2020 Davenport homicide

Sherral J. Tolbert, now 22, of Davenport, was initially charged with first-degree murder and domination/control of a firearm/offensive weapon by a felon, according to court records. Underlying the charges were allegations that Tolbert fatally shot Lavonta Baker, 19, on Oct. 25, 2020, in the 2300 block of West Second Street; and that he possessed a firearm despite a felony conviction.

Tolbert's jury trial on the murder charge took place in early 2024, according to court records. On February 1, jurors convicted him of second-degree murder.

Regarding the weapons charge, Tolbert elected to proceed to a bench trial and District Court Judge Henry Latham II found him guilty of that charge, according to court documents filed May 6.

At a hearing Friday afternoon, Latham sentenced Tolbert to up to 50 years in an Iowa prison for murder and up to 5 years for felony possession.

Tolbert must serve 70 percent of the murder sentence before he is eligible for parole and the two sentences must be served consecutively, Latham said. Tolbert will receive credit for time he has already served in connection with the murder case.

“This is a very serious offense and I think it is appropriate that this sentence be imposed,” Latham told the court.

Tolbert made a statement during the hearing. It included an apology for his actions, although he did not specify what actions he was apologizing for.

A member of Baker's family also provided a victim impact statement. Her statement included that she prayed that God would forgive Tolbert because, at the moment, she could not.

During the hearing, the court also revoked Tolbert's probation in two prior cases and the sentences in those cases were also handed down.

Latham ordered that Tolbert will serve those sentences consecutively to those imposed in the murder case.

In one of those earlier cases, Tolbert pleaded guilty to second-degree theft, a felony; and two counts of personal assault in certain occupations, aggravated misdemeanors, according to court records. Tolbert's pleas were part of a deal with prosecutors.

In this case, the sentence, suspended in favor of probation, could be up to five years for the robbery and up to two years each for the assault charges, all to be served concurrently if the prison term was imposed. .

The second case was also resolved by a plea deal, records show. Tolbert pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary, with other charges dropped. In that case, he was sentenced to up to 10 years, again suspended in favor of probation.

When those cases were resolved, the order was that Tolbert would serve the two prison sentences consecutively if imposed, records show.