Detroit Man, Who As Teen Was Convicted Of Murder, To Walk Free Today

DETROIT, MI—After seven years in detention, Demarco Harris, who turns 21 today, will walk free. At 12-years-old, Harris shot and killed 24-year-old Trisha Babcock during a botched robbery in 2009. Her family hasn’t forgotten, and says he should not be freed.

Wayne County Circuit Judge Virgil Smith saw it differently on Friday during a hearing for whether Harris should be freed. During the proceeding, therapists and case workers who have seen Harris grow up in detention, praised him as a rehabilitated young adult.

Smith was convinced and ruled that Harris does not appear to be a threat to the community, according to a report from the Detroit Free Press. But, the judge warned the young man, if he screws up, he can expect to be back behind bars.

Babcock’s father, Steven Babcock, also testified during the hearing on Friday, and argued that his daughter deserves justice and that Harris should now be sent to prison.

The judge had the option to sentence Harris prison. (For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Detroit Patch, click here to find your local Michigan Patch. Also, like us on Facebook, and if you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, in a statement, said that she sympathized with Steven Babcock, but recommended that Harris be freed. Our decision in this case to recommend that the judge forgo any further imprisonment for DeMarco Harris was no exception.

“Harris was 12-years-old when he committed the horrific, inexcusable, and tragic murder of Trisha Babcock. There is no doubt about that,” Worthy said. “Since Harris was incarcerated at age 13, he has accepted responsibility for the crimes he committed, has done everything that has been asked of him during the course of his incarceration, and has excelled academically while in a high security facility.”

The prosecutor noted that Harris received his high school diploma and a culinary arts degree while incarcerated. He also had underwent rehab for substance abuse.

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