DETROIT – Monday is Demarco Harris's 21st birthday.
It's also the day he wins his freedom. In 2009, Harris shot and killed 24-year-old Trisha Babcock during an attempted robbery. The shooting happened Aug. 1, 2009 at West Outer Drive and Minock Street. Harris was just 12 years old at the time.
In 2010, he was found guilty of felony murder, assault with intent to rob while armed and felony firearm violations. Harris was given a blended sentence, initially placed into a high-security juvenile facility.
The court determined last week he would be granted release on Monday when he turns 21. Harris could have faced an adult sentence of mandatory life in prison.
After eight years in prison, the question is whether Harris has served his debt to society, and is he still a danger to society? The judge decided he would be released because he was convicted as a juvenile, but not before Babcock's family weighed in at the release hearing.
Father makes emotional plea
"It wasn't fair for you ... you died alone. My daughter deserves justice. This crime ... juvenile detention center for seven years while he played the system ... anybody in their right mind would have done the same thing that he did. Because he knows he has a chance for freedom," said Babcock's father, Steve Babcock.
Harris told the court there is no doubt he has been rehabilitated.
"Since that day, I've grown mentally, spiritually and physically," he said.
The judge took the recommendations of several therapists before ruling to release Harris, seemingly reluctantly.
"I know, I've been told, that once he turns 21 he supposed to be cut loose ... I'm not so sure about that," said Judge Virgil C. Smith.
Harris described as model detainee
Several people spoke during the release hearing including people who worked with Harris while he was a detainee. They said he was a model detainee and worked well in college courses. They hope he does not return to his family or the neighborhood he came from.
Harris has no more contact with the courts after his release Monday.
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