BERRIEN COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) — Yas’mine Harris was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, Thursday, Oct. 8.

Harris was found guilty on all five charges, Friday, Sept. 25.

Harris is one of four people indicted in connection to the death of 20-year-old Ja’kesse Middleton. Middleton was found dead along the side of Highway 122 in Feb. 2023.

Harris was found guilty of:

• Malice Murder
• Felony Murder
• Aggravated Assault
• Kidnapping
• Robbery

Mason and Kamisha Middleton, the parents of Ja’kesse, were at the sentencing as the fight for justice for their son.

“Hold everybody accountable,” Mason said. “That’s the main thing. Hold them accountable for their actions. That’s what I’m looking for.”

In Jan. 2025, WALB learned that two co-defendants, Ernest Smith and Norman Wright, accepted plea agreements in the case.

Court proceedings have since separated the remaining defendants. While Harris faces trial this week, a fourth defendant, Eric Smith, is not scheduled to face a jury until March 2027.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• ‘Guilty’: One woman charged in Berrien County kidnapping-murder case
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