Davenport man appeals life sentence

A 20-year-old Davenport man sentenced Feb. 23 in the slaying of a 14-year-old in 2021 has appealed that sentence, court documents say.

John Hanes III was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole until he has served 20 years. He was sentenced in connection to the shooting death of 14-year-old Jamon Winfrey shortly before 4:30 p.m. Feb. 24, 2021, near the 1300 block of Farnam Street. He is being held in Scott County Jail.

The appeal was filed Monday in Scott County Court by attorney Beau A. Bergmann, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, who represents John Hanes III.

See the appeal below:

John Hanes Jr., father of the accused, spoke exclusively last week with Our Quad Cities News, saying “There’s always too sides to every story when it’s all over and done with.” He believes his son’s trial should have ended in a mistrial or not-guilty verdict.

“Sometimes you can be in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he said. “And that’s pretty much what happened to John.”

The other defendants

Additionally, Chrystian Smith, 20, of Davenport, was sentenced to up to 25 years after he pleaded guilty to attempted murder in connection with the incident.

Also in connection with the death, Javon Combs, 22, of Davenport, pleaded guilty to three counts of intimidation with a dangerous weapon – injure/provoke fear and willful injury – causing serious injury, court records show. He was sentenced to serve no more than 10 years for each of these charges, with the sentences to be served consecutively, or one after the other.