Greer, 19, gets 30-month prison term for beating, robbing cab driver

Daimeionne K. Greer, a 19-year-old man who beat up and robbed a taxi driver, was slapped yesterday with a six-year prison term, all suspended except for 30 months for robbery.

Greer was given credit for time served. After completing the prison term, he will be placed on five years of probation. He was ordered to pay a $200 fine, $25 court costs, and $100 probation fee.

Superior Court Associate Judge David A. Wiseman said restitution will be determined later once all invoices are submitted.

Wiseman acknowledged that Greer accepted responsibility for his actions and is remorseful, but also noted that the seriousness of the crime warrants an appropriate prison term.

At the sentencing hearing yesterday, Greer apologized to the court, the taxi driver, and his parents.

Greer pleaded guilty last April 6 to robbery as part of a plea deal.

Greer struck the victim, Cheng Zhe Piao, in the head as the victim was driving, on Nov. 30, 2014, in San Vicente. He also took $70 – $80 from the driver.

Assistant attorney general Chester Hinds had recommended a sentence of four years, to be served without the possibility of parole. Chester also recommended that Greer should pay $22,595 in restitution.

Hinds said that Greer poses a threat to the community based on his criminal actions and his disrespect for other people and their property.

In his sentencing memorandum, the prosecutor said Greer and a co-defendant called a taxi with the plan to rob the taxi driver, Piao. Hinds said Greer struck Piao, causing him to lose control of the car, go off the road, and crash at the bottom of a grassy slope.

Hinds said Greer and his co-defendant took money from Piao and left. He said the car was basically totaled—all for about $80, which was spent on vodka, snacks, and other things.

Fortunately, Hinds said, the victim only has a scar over his eye from the incident, but as stated in the presentence investigation report of the Office of Adult Probation, he still has headaches and is uneasy when left alone.

“This case is very serious and the sentence should reflect the harm that was done,” he said.

Hinds also noted that Greer’s bail was revoked due to a reported assault on another student at a school.

While the government understands that Greer was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and bipolar disorder, Hinds said that does not justify the crime he committed.

Attorney Mark A. Scoggins, counsel for Greer, recommended a sentence of six months in prison as recommended by the Office of Adult Probation.

Scoggins also recommended restitution of $13,227.28 to the owner of the damaged car. He noted that the plea deal calls for Greer to pay $22,595 in restitution, but that the actual damage Probation found was only $13,227.28.

Scoggins said the responsibility for the payment should be shared jointly with the juvenile also responsible in this case.

Scoggins said there is nothing in this case to suggest that given a proper medication and supervision, Greet cannot mature and correct his behavior.

“There is very little to be served or accomplished by sentencing this very young man, who is in need of treatment and counseling, not prison, to a long time in jail,” the lawyer said.