Devaunte Hill sentenced to 25 years in Caitlyn Kaufman murder

Kirsten Fiscus and Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read

Devaunte Hill, the man convicted of killing Nashville nurse Caitlyn Kaufman during her commute to work in December 2020, will spend 25 in prison.

Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Angelita Blackshear Dalton filed her sentencing order March 29 after taking impact statements and arguments from attorneys on March 3.

Hill asked for leniency in his sentencing after admitting the crime. On Wednesday, he received the maximum 25 years.

"Considering Mr. Hill's trail testimony and allocution, while court appreciates his words, in observing his demeanor and tone, genuineness behind his words is questionable," according to the sentencing order.

Hill, along with James Cowan, the driver of the SUV the shots came from, were each charged with first-degree murder after the killing. Cowan was acquitted of the charge during a Janurary trial. Hill was convicted of the lesser second-degree murder.

Verdict: One found guilty in death of Nashville nurse Caitlyn Kaufman, another acquitted

On that December 2020 night, Kaufman was on her way to work an overnight shift at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West. A single bullet — one of six fired at her — killed her, according to testimony heard during the trial. Hill testified during trial that his actions were impulsive, a reaction to Kaufman cutting them off on the interstate.

Hill and Cowan's attorneys argued during trial that their clients weren't guilty of first-degree murder, which requires both premeditation and intent in the killing. From the beginning, the case appeared to be a road rage killing, a heat of passion impulse.

More: How the case was built against two charged in Nashville nurse Caitlyn Kaufman's death

Prosecutors with the Davidson County District Attorney's office argued both premeditation and intent were present when Hill picked up the gun to fire and Cowan drove the car alongside Kaufman's on the interstate.

Hill and his attorneys never denied during trial that he was the gunman.

"I know I made an irrational and dumb decision and I really would just like to apologize to Ms. Kaufman's family for my stupid behavior," Hill said during the sentencing hearing on March 3. "I'm sorry my irrational decision resulted in the death of your daughter. She didn't deserve to die."

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Devaunte Hill sentenced in Nashville Caitlyn Kaufman murder case