Davy Spencer Jr. pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the Wilmington stabbing that killed Marine Daniel Montano.

A negotiated guilty plea to second-degree murder is a conviction on that count, and the prison term is the sentence. WECT reported the range is 251 to 314 months, with credit for 185 days already served. The two assault counts cover fellow Marines who were with Montano that night. Montano's sister and father spoke at the hearing and asked for no mercy.

WECT reported that Davy Spencer Jr., 47, pleaded guilty Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, in a negotiated plea to second-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. StarNews reported the same plea in the April 5 death of Daniel Montano, 21, and identified Spencer as a Scotts Hill man. WECT reported the sentence is 251 to 314 months, with 185 days of jail credit. That term is the judgment on the counts he admitted.

WECT, citing the district attorney's office, reported that Montano and fellow Camp Lejeune Marines Esteban Solis and Roman Thapa, both 21, were on the sidewalk on North Front Street around 2 a.m. April 5, after the bars closed. Montano was an inventory management specialist with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, WECT reported. The office's account, as WECT published it, is that Spencer became offended, an argument started, Spencer swung at the men, Montano punched back, and Spencer stabbed Montano in the left side of the neck. WECT reported Spencer cut Solis on the left shoulder, a deep wound, and that Thapa fought him off until Wilmington police arrived. Montano died April 6, the station reported.

WECT reported Montano's sister and father spoke at the hearing, described life without him, and told the judge Spencer deserves no mercy. The plea and the 251-to-314-month sentence are the court's outcome on the three counts. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.