Photo/ Freep.com
Typically a 12 year old would be at home in the bed, but not this 12 year old. The average 12 year old child is looking forward to summer vacation from school, looking forward to hanging out with friends and doing what children do. But instead, Demarco Harris has been charged with felony murder and armed robbery in the Aug. 1 slaying of Trisha Babcock.
Trisha Babcock, a 24-year-old woman from Davison was shot shortly after midnight as she sat in a car with a man at West Outer Drive and Minock. Wayne County prosecutors charged Harris on Saturday in juvenile court under a state law that gives the judge discretion to impose an adult sentence if the child is convicted.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy called the crime “very scary ... Serious,” but said she is not ruling out a plea that would keep the 6-foot-2 youth in juvenile custody. She said the judge could hand down a juvenile sentence, an adult sentence or a blended sentence: “It gives us options.”
Today children are much bigger in size than we were at their age. Who would believe looking at Harris, standing 6’2’’ that he is 12 years old? Although young, he decided to do a what your average 12 year old wouldn’t dream of…..commit armed robbery.
How is it possible for children to get their hands on weapons so readily?
The new law just implemented in the City of Eastpointe, Michigan will have other cities considering whether or not it’s not a bad idea. Eastpointe, Michigan implemented the Parent Responsibility law, if a child commits a crime, the city will charge the parents.
This might be the solution for crimes committed by children, then again we were taught children mimic what they see. So who would be responsible for the actions young Harris displayed?
Obviously there is a problem, because why was Harris on the streets at midnight to begin with? Harris was not alone, a second juvenile suspect is in custody on other charges, police said, but has not been charged in the shooting. Detroit Police Chief Warren Evans said Wednesday, “We are confident that the 12-year-old was the shooter.”
Harris was in juvenile court last year and ordered into counseling for non-criminal misbehavior, Officials said. According to Police, Babcock was in Detroit applying for a job as a dancer. The motive, they think, was robbery. She was a convenient person in a convenient place. Harris' father turned him in Friday.
Evans said the crime may call for adult prison time: “A purely juvenile sentence, to me ... doesn't sound right.”
Murder cases involving very young defendants are unusual, but the Nathaniel Abraham case quickly comes to mind. In 1997, the then 11 year old Abraham fatally shot an 18 year old man outside a Pontiac party store. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sent to prison until he turned 21. At 21 he was released, but a year and half later Abraham was caught dealing drugs and returned to prison.
Tomorrow~ Young Shooters Part 2: Nathaniel Abraham, Michigan’s youngest juvenile ever sent to prison
Comments
We know too many women like this. She was so young and beautiful. God bless her.
Holy dung.....she was sitting in a car, in the black side of town, with a black, doing God knows what.......
No big loss.......no big loss at all....
I have to basically agree with Frank. A pretty small town girl hanging around crack-infested Detroit after midnight looking for work as a stripper (or prostitute) is leading a dangerous life. Certainly, no one should die like that and the killer deserves to be hung regardless of age. It's sad that sometimes the lure of fast money rules over common sense and morality.
i had high hopes for demarco he was doing better in school i was devistated when i found out that he shot that 24 year old. R.I.P. TO THAT YOUNG LADY AND GOD BLESS THAT FAMILY
Any other pretty young small town girls want to hang around Detroit after midnight and sit in a car with a "male friend" and seek work as a "dancer"? Sounds like a life-enriching activity to me.
frank,
it is a big loss she was my niece and she was a very pretty young woman who still had her whole life ahead of her
Dawn~ Your family has my condolences. People when reading news articles or hear the stories, they sometimes forget and lose focus not realizing that this tragedy could have happened in their family. No matter where the awful tragedy happens as people we all need to remember that the victim has family as well.
To inconsiderate people:We all have alcoholics, drug abusers and Ect. in our families so don't be quick to judge people,one day the story might just involve you.
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It doesn't matter where she was or what she was doing. She was murdered. End of story. Now justice must be served. Letting this kid off the hook, would only prove that what he did was ok. Regardless, he was of age to know the difference between right and wrong and he should be punished. No one probably knows why she was there, she could have been there dancing to put herself through law school or to become a doctor, so she could make something of herself. Don't be so quick to judge HER. No matter how you look at it, she DID NOT deserve to die.
Now for those of you who appear to have very little heart, here is 25¢, go buy some compassion.
They should take that animal out and shoot him just like he did to that nice girl in exactly the same location. And they should invite the entire community and news crews to see the event and warn other uncivilized animals the same thing will be done to them.
No matter what she was doing or why no one has the right to just come out and kill her. All of those violent animals should all be burned up just like Mark Furman said. I hope every one of them burn in hell.
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