A 16-year-old from Mt. Vernon has been sentenced to 28 years as an adult in prison for his role in the January shooting death of 16-year-old Julissa Mercedes Leslie.
Decoleis Dunn-Harris pleaded guilty in Jefferson County Court to an armed violence charge related to Leslie’s death. As part of the plea agreement, charges of armed violence through firearm discharge and aggravated battery with a firearm were dropped.
He is required to serve at least 85% of his sentence. The judge noted a finding of great bodily harm before issuing the sentence. Upon release, Dunn-Harris will face three years of mandatory supervised release and has been credited for 308 days already served. He was on juvenile parole at the time of his arrest.
According to Mt. Vernon Police, the shooting took place in the 1800 block of Lamar. Officers responded to a 911 call that only contained screams. Dunn-Harris was initially taken into custody for questioning after being found with a handgun. Leslie was transported to a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
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