DETROIT – A 20-year-old man will be released Monday after serving seven years in a high-security juvenile facility for a murder he committed in Detroit when he was 12 years old.
Demarco Harris was found guilty of felony murder, assault with intent to rob while armed and felony firearm violations in 2010. The charges stem from the robbery and fatal shooting of 24-year-old Trisha Babcock, of Davison.
The shooting happened Aug. 1, 2009 at West Outer Drive and Minock Street.
Harris was given a blended sentence, initially placed into a high-security juvenile facility.
Now the court determined he would be granted release on Monday when he turns 21. Harris could have faced an adult sentence of mandatory life in prison.
Babcock's family is against Harris' release. They believe he played the system and that he is still a threat to the community.
Harris claimed in court that he has been rehabilitated.
"Since that day, I've grown mentally, spiritually and physically," he said.
The sentencing review was before Judge Virgil C. Smith at 9 a.m.
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