Man who murdered woman when he was 12 will be freed on 21st birthday
A Detroit man convicted of murder at age 12 will be sprung from prison Monday — on his 21st birthday — despite the slain woman’s family begging to keep him jailed for life, according to reports.
DeMarco Harris has been holed up at a high-security juvenile facility since he was found guilty of gunning down Trisha Babcock, 24, in 2009 in a robbery gone wrong, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Her father, Steven Babcock, was in court Friday — waving his daughter’s death certificate and picture — to fight against Harris’ release.
“It’s excruciating,” Babcock said, according to the Detroit News.
“This crime deserves life in prison.”
He blasted social workers’ opinion that Harris had been rehabilitated as a “love fest.”
Trisha Babcock’s grandmother, Brenda Babcock, also pleaded with the court for Harris to stay incarcerated.
“A leopard never does change his spots,” she said. “This brutal act done by DeMarco Harris should not be overlooked.”
Wayne County Circuit Judge Virgil Smith found Harris wouldn’t be a danger to the public if released — but warned the young man that his “juvenile conviction will follow you the rest of your life.”
The judge added two years of probation following Harris’ release, saying, “I want to hold it over his head.”
Harris was charged as an adult but sentenced in 2010 as a juvenile on felony murder and armed robbery charges. He was found guilty at his second trial after the first one ended with a hung jury.
State law mandated that Harris be released when he turned 21.
He told the judge he was a “prime example of what rehabilitation looks like” and asked for a second chance.
“I’m truly apologetic,” Harris said.
Social workers testified that except for a minor incident, Harris hadn’t caused any trouble while behind bars and that he’d completed high school and taken online community college courses.
“He owns what he did,” said Jennifer Sloan, an associate clinical director for Spectrum Juvenile Justice Services. “He owns how he imagines it impacted everyone involved.
“Based on the behavior he’s exhibited, I have no reason to believe he would re-offend.”
A psychologist testified that Harris should undergo “cognitive therapy” if released.
Prosecutors said they couldn’t meet their burden of proof that Harris has not been rehabilitated.
“In the criminal justice system, we are called upon to make difficult and heart-wrenching decisions almost every day. Our decision, in this case, to recommend that the judge forgo any further imprisonment for DeMarco Harris was no exception,” said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy in a statement. “We are aware that Ms. Babcock’s father does not agree with the termination and we sympathize with him.”