Two Indiana teenagers jailed for more than 200 YEARS over woman's brutal murder

Published: 20:58, 31 July 2026 | Updated: 20:58, 31 July 2026 Two Indiana teenagers have been sentenced to a combined 225 years in prison for carrying out a gang hit that killed an innocent mother of two instead of its intended target. Jo’Majze Larry, 15, was handed a 100-year sentence on Wednesday over the February 2025 murder of 26-year-old certified nursing assistant Dayla Swain. His co-defendant Rashawn Samuels, 19, was sentenced the following day to 125 years behind bars. Larry was just 14 and Samuels was 18 when prosecutors said they took part in a plot to assassinate a witness in another murder case. But the attack outside an Anderson nightclub killed Swain, who had no part in the gang feud. Madison County Circuit Court Judge David Happe imposed both sentences following the teenagers’ convictions at a six-day joint trial in June. Happe sentenced Larry to 50 years for murder and added another 50 years under a criminal organization enhancement, bringing his total sentence to 100 years. Samuels was ordered to serve 62 and a half years for murder and another 62 and a half years under the same enhancement, bringing his sentence to 125 years. Jo’Majze Larry, 15, was sentenced to 100 years in prison for the February 2025 murder of Dayla Swain Rashawn Samuels, 19, received 125 years behind bars after being convicted alongside Larry at a six-day joint trial The teenagers were convicted of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and criminal organization activity. Larry was also found guilty of dangerous possession of a firearm because of his age, according to the Madison County Prosecutor’s Office. The pair admitted after the verdict that they qualified for the criminal organization sentencing enhancement. Prosecutors said the violence stemmed from an earlier robbery plot that ended with the death of 15-year-old Jullian Craig in November 2023. Craig and Donavan Harris allegedly lured a man named O’Terryon Johnson into a vehicle by promising to repay a debt before attempting to rob him. Johnson fatally shot Craig during the confrontation but authorities determined that he had acted in self-defense. Harris was nevertheless prosecuted under Indiana’s felony murder law, which allows participants in certain dangerous crimes to be held responsible when someone dies during the offense. Johnson was expected to testify against Harris at a trial scheduled for February 2025. Dayla Swain, 26, was an innocent bystander killed during an alleged plot to assassinate her cousin outside an Anderson nightclub Prosecutors said members of the Mickey Cobra Nation, a gang with alleged ties to Chicago, conspired to kill Johnson before he could take the stand. The planned attack unfolded shortly after 3am on February 2, 2025, outside Sonny Ray’s nightclub in Anderson, about 40 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Swain, who was Johnson’s cousin, was caught in the gunfire even though she was not the intended target, according to WRTV. Surveillance footage showed Swain trying to retreat before she was struck by a dark-colored Ford F-150 fleeing the nightclub. She was taken to an Indianapolis hospital but died from her injuries. Another woman was wounded in the attack. Swain had graduated from Anderson High School and worked as a certified nursing assistant, according to her obituary. She left behind two children as well as her parents, six siblings and extended family. Her family said Swain especially enjoyed spending time with her children, siblings, cousins and friends. Investigators uncovered Instagram and Snapchat exchanges that allegedly showed the defendants and others planning the shooting, watching the nightclub, discussing firearms and attempting to evade security cameras. Snapchat location data tracked Samuels traveling to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the hours after the shooting, according to court records reviewed by WRTV. Larry’s father reported him missing the day after Swain was killed. The teenager later surrendered to authorities. Larry, allegedly known as ‘Biggie,’ was prosecuted as an adult. Swain was a certified nursing assistant and mother of two who had graduated from Anderson High School Samuels, allegedly known as ‘Lil D,’ was arrested in Wisconsin and returned to Indiana to face charges. A third defendant, Kyree Craver, was 17 at the time of the shooting. He was convicted in a separate trial and sentenced on July 9 to 90 years in prison. Happe imposed 45 years for murder and added another 45 years under the criminal organization enhancement. A fourth defendant is expected to stand trial later this year. Harris was convicted in June of Craig’s felony murder, attempted armed robbery and criminal confinement. He was sentenced on Tuesday to 60 years, including 50 years in prison and ten years of probation. Although Larry received a century-long sentence, his age means he could eventually ask a judge to reconsider it. Indiana law allows a person convicted of a murder committed as a juvenile to seek a sentence modification after serving at least 20 years. The prosecutor can oppose the request and Swain’s relatives would have the right to be heard. A judge would retain the authority to reject the petition. The provision does not guarantee that Larry’s sentence will be shortened or that he will be released after 20 years.