Jo'Majze Larry Sentenced to 100 Years for Murder and Criminal Organization Enhancement
On July 29, 2026, Judge David Happe sentenced Jo'Majze Larry (15 of Anderson) to an aggregate sentence of 100 years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction.
In June 2026, Larry was found guilty following a joint trial with co-defendant Rashawn Samuels of the following offenses related to the February 2, 2025, shooting death of 26-year-old Dayla Swain outside Sonny Ray's in Anderson:
Count I: Murder, a felony;
Count II: Attempted Murder, a Level 1 felony;
Count III: Conspiracy to Commit Murder, a Level 2 felony;
Count IV: Criminal Organization Activity, a Level 5 felony; and
Count V: Dangerous Possession of a Firearm, a Class A misdemeanor.
Following the jury's verdict, Larry admitted to the Criminal Organization Enhancement.
At sentencing, Judge Happe imposed a sentence of 50 years for Murder enhanced by an additional 50 years for the Criminal Organization Enhancement for an aggregate sentence of 100 years to be executed at the Indiana Department of Correction.
Under Indiana law, the criminal organization enhancement is designed to address crimes committed by individuals acting as part of an organized criminal enterprise rather than as isolated offenders. 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.
To seek this enhancement, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant knowingly or intentionally committed a qualifying offense while acting in association with a criminal organization. A "criminal organization" is generally defined as a group of three or more persons that has as one of its primary purposes the commission of one or more criminal offenses and whose members engage in a pattern of criminal activity.
Because the defendant in this case was under the age of 18 at the time the murder was committed, Indiana law provides a unique opportunity to seek judicial review of the sentence after a significant period of incarceration. Under Indiana Code 35-38-1-17(n), an individual sentenced for murder committed while they were a juvenile may file an additional petition for sentence modification without the consent of the prosecuting attorney after serving at least 20 years of the sentence. The 20-year period is based on actual time served and does not include any credit time earned for good behavior or educational programs.
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.
Larry's co-defendant, Rashawn Samuels, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 30, 2026 where he faces a maximum possible sentence of 176 years.
The State's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutors Tyler Piraino and Jesse Miller. The case was investigated by Det. Brett Webb and Det. Cora Garcia of the Anderson Police Department.
Madison County Prosecutor's Office News
