Indiana teen gets 100-year sentence for gang murder

A 15-year-old boy in Indiana received a 100-year prison sentence for his involvement in a gang-related shooting that resulted in a woman's death and injuries to two others. Jo’Majze Larry was sentenced on Wednesday by Madison County Circuit Court Judge David Happe.

Larry was one of four members of the Mickey Cobra Nation (MCN) gang charged in the murder of 26-year-old Dayla Swain. Prosecutors stated Swain was killed on February 2, 2025, outside Sonny Ray’s nightclub in Anderson, a suburb of Indianapolis. The incident allegedly stemmed from a failed attempt to kill a witness connected to another homicide. Two other women were injured; one was shot, and another was hit by a fleeing vehicle.

Larry and 19-year-old Rashawn Samuels were tried together and convicted by a jury on June 30. Both admitted to an enhancement charge for being members of a criminal organization. Judge Happe sentenced Larry to 50 years for Swain’s murder and an additional 50 years for the criminal organization enhancement. Samuels received a 125-year sentence, with 62.5 years for the murder and another 62.5 years for the enhancement.

Prosecutors noted that Indiana law recognizes criminal organizations pose a greater threat due to coordinated activity and recruitment. Larry and Samuels were also convicted of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. A fourth defendant is awaiting trial later this year. The shooting is reportedly linked to the 2023 killing of 15-year-old Jullian Craig during an attempted armed robbery, with prosecutors alleging Craig’s death prompted the plot to murder a witness. However, the plan misfired, leading to Swain's death.

Despite the lengthy sentence, Indiana law allows Larry, who was 15 at the time of the murder, to seek a judicial review of his sentence after serving at least 20 years. This provision means his sentence could be reconsidered.

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Indiana law recognizes that criminal organizations can pose a greater threat to public safety because they coordinate criminal activity, recruit others to participate in crime, and often commit offenses for financial gain or to further the goals of the organization.