Two teenagers in Indiana have been sentenced to a combined 225 years in prison for their roles in a gang-related shooting that resulted in the death of an innocent mother of two. Jo’Majze Larry, 15, was sentenced to 100 years, and Rashawn Samuels, 19, received 125 years for the February 2025 murder of Dayla Swain.
Larry and Samuels 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 due to his age. The sentences were imposed by Madison County Circuit Court Judge David Happe following a joint trial. Both teenagers admitted their eligibility for a criminal organization sentencing enhancement.
Prosecutors stated the violence stemmed from a plot to assassinate a witness in another murder case. The intended target was O’Terryon Johnson, who was expected to testify against Donavan Harris in a trial scheduled for February 2025. Johnson had fatally shot Jullian Craig, 15, in November 2023 during a confrontation authorities deemed self-defense, but Harris was prosecuted under Indiana's felony murder law.
The Mickey Cobra Nation gang allegedly conspired to kill Johnson before he could testify. The shooting occurred outside Sonny Ray’s nightclub in Anderson. Swain, who was Johnson’s cousin, was not the intended target but was struck by a fleeing vehicle and died from her injuries. Another woman was wounded in the attack.
Swain, 26, was a certified nursing assistant and a graduate of Anderson High School. She is survived by two children, her parents, and six siblings. Her family remembered her as someone who cherished time with her children, siblings, cousins, and friends.
Investigators found Instagram and Snapchat communications detailing the planning of the shooting, surveillance of the nightclub, discussions about firearms, and efforts to avoid security cameras. Snapchat location data indicated Samuels traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, hours after the shooting. Larry’s father reported him missing the day after Swain’s death, and the teenager later surrendered to authorities. Samuels was arrested in Wisconsin.
A third defendant, Kyree Craver, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, was convicted in a separate trial and sentenced to 90 years in prison. A fourth defendant is awaiting trial. In a related case, Donavan Harris was sentenced to 60 years for his involvement in Jullian Craig’s death.
Larry, due to his age at the time of the offense, may be eligible to seek a sentence modification after serving 20 years, subject to judicial review and potential opposition from the prosecution and the victim's family.