Man gets 30 years after pleading guilty to murder in Jazmine Barnes' death
Erick Black (left) and Jazmine Barnes (right) (Photos: Harris County District Attorney's Office)
Eric Black has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to murder in the drive-by shooting death of 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes, officials say.
Jazmine was shot and killed in east Harris County on December 30, 2018, while riding in a car with her mother and sisters. Authorities said the shots were fired by someone in another vehicle.
DETAILS: Girl, 7, killed after man opens fire on car in northeast Harris County
Following a search for suspects that gained national attention, Black and Larry Woodruffe, 27, were arrested and charged.
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According to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, Woodruffe was riding in a car driven by Black when Woodruffe opened fire on the family’s vehicle.
Jazmine Barnes murder: Trial begins for man charged in 7-year-old's death
The district attorney’s office says Black pleaded guilty to murder earlier this year in a plea deal that capped his possible sentence at 35 years in prison in exchange for testifying against Woodruffe.
Following a trial in April, Woodruffe was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison.
On Thursday, visiting state District Judge Vanessa Velasquez sentenced Black.
"Jazmine Barnes’ death was a tragic and heartbreaking example of needless and pointless gun violence, and she and her family deserved justice and they got justice," said Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg.
MORE: Deadly shooting of Jazmine Barnes was case of mistaken identity, prosecutor says
Assistant District Attorney Alycia Harvey, who prosecuted the case, said, "For the family of Jazmine Barnes, we’re grateful that we finally reached a resolution that’s just."