Man pleads guilty in Marine’s death at frat party

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Apex man and ECU student accused of killing a Marine at a UNCW fraternity party pleaded guilty this afternoon.

In February of last year, Jackson Davies hit and killed Cory Reese, 22. He was indicted on second degree murder and felony death by motor vehicle charges in March of 2014; in court today, Davies pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and death by motor vehicle.

Investigators say a fight at the party led to the incident where Davies drove his vehicle into a utility pole, with Reese on the hood of the car.

Davies was sentenced to about six years in prison and five years probation.

In court Monday afternoon, Reese’s step-father said the loss of his step-son has been suffering that can’t be cured. Davies spoke to Reese’s family, saying, “I didn’t know Corey, I just know one thing about him and it’s that he died too soon.”