Thursday a Jackson County jury took just 2-hours to convict 25-year-old Harry Davis of first degree murder. And the next day it took the jury less than an hour to recommend Davis spend the rest of his life in prison.

With the family victim’s watching, prosecutor Mark Sims presented testimony that Davis stabbed William's repeatedly with a steak knife, mostly in the head.

The image of the knife and testimony that Davis beat Williams with a microwave oven and a frying pan, were factors the jurors had to consider when they began deliberations in the sentencing phase of the trial.

On the other hand Davis' defense attorney Walter Smith painted his client as a troubled young man suffering from mental illness and a rough past.

Within thirty minutes the jurors returned with their recommendation of life in prison.

William's family member Mike Minton says they're disappointed Davis won't face the death for the brutal murder.

"Mark Sims did all he could do...Really it didn't come out exactly like how I would have hoped but they did their job and I think that it was fair overall."

Assistant State Attorney Mark Sims commented afterwards.

"They seem to be very pleased with yesterday's verdict of first degree murder and of course they were hoping for the death penalty as I was. But they understand the system they understand."

Davis killed Peggy Williams in her Marianna home on August 4, 2007. Then he stole and drove her car to Pensacola where authorities arrested him.

Presiding Judge William Wright says the formal sentencing will take place in the next 30 days.