15-year-old boy sentenced to 100 years in prison

A 15-year-old boy has been sentenced to 100 years in prison following a shooting that left a woman dead. Jo'Majze Larry from Anderson, in Indiana, had been involved in the gang-related incident that hit the wrong target, according to prosecutors.

In June of this year, Larry had been found guilty of murder among other offences following the killing of 26-year-old Dayla Swain, who prosecutors said was shot in February 2025 outside a nightclub.

Swain had been blasted during what prosecutors described as a 'botched hit' on a witness to another homicide, according to ABC news.

Prosecutors said this related to the murder of a 15-year-old that occurred in 2023 during an alleged attempted armed robbery. It was alleged that the murder had prompted Larry and co-defendant Rawshawn Samuels to then conspire with fellow gang members to target a witness.

The botched hit occurred on 2 February last year outside of the Sonny Ray's nightclub in Anderson. It was then that Swain, who prosecutors said was not the intended target, was hit and later died.

Madison County documents state that 15-year-old Larry was found guilty of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, criminal organisation activity and dangerous possession of a firearm.

At sentencing, Judge David Happe imposed a sentence on Larry of 50 years for murder, alongside an additional 50 years for the Criminal Organization Enhancement, equating to a sentence of 100 years to be served at the Indiana Department of Correction.

Larry's co-defendant, Rashawn Samuels, aged 19, was sentenced to 125 years in prison, consisting of 62 and a half years for Swain's murder and another 62 and a half years for the criminal organisation enhancement charge.

Rashawn Samuels was another gang member and co-conspirator (Madison County Jail / Fox 59)

In a statement, prosecutors said: "Indiana law recognises that criminal organisations can pose a greater threat to public safety because they coordinate criminal activity, recruit others to participate in crime, and often commit offences for financial gain or to further the goals of the organisation.

Larry could seek judicial review of century-long jail term

Because Larry was under the age of 18 at the time of the incident, Indiana state law provides an opportunity for him to seek a judicial review of his sentence without the consent of the prosecuting attorney after he has served at least 20 years of his sentence.

The Madison County Prosecutor's Office states: "It is important to note that this statute does not automatically reduce or shorten the defendant's sentence, nor does it guarantee release after 20 years. Rather, it simply permits the defendant to ask the sentencing court to consider modifying the sentence.

"At any such hearing, the prosecutor's office has the opportunity to oppose the request, victims and their families have the right to be notified and heard, and the judge retains complete discretion to grant or deny the petition after considering all relevant facts and circumstances."