A Binghamton man will be spending 79 years to life in prison for causing the death of Johnson City 11-year-old Jerome Smith and for raping an underage girl.

Larry Harris stood in Broome County Court Friday morning as Judge Joseph Cawley listed off the slew of charges against him, stemming from separate violent crimes. Harris received 25 years to life in prison for the death of Jerome Smith, then two sentences of 25 years to life on the sexual assault of a child charges, and another four years in prison for drug dealing. Added together, the sentences come out to that total of 79 years to life. 

"Based upon your conduct, based upon your criminal convictions, you have now forfeited your right to ever walk the streets of this, or any other community, as a free man," Judge Cawley told Harris right before handing down that sentence. 

In May, a jury found Harris guilty of killing Jerome Smith inside a home on Burbank Ave in February of 2019. Assistant District Attorney Anthony Frank says the death was caused by asphyxiation, but they still don't know exactly how Harris carried out the act. Frank says this case haunts him and that he found himself getting emotional during the trial and again at the sentencing. 

Just four months later, Harris sat through a second trial, this time a bench trial with no jury, on the charges of sexual assault against a child. Prosecutors say the victim in this second case came forward after Harris was in custody for Smith's murder. The victim was only 11 years old when Harris began sexually abusing her. She stood in court on Friday and addressed him. Her aunt also wrote a statement to be read by attorneys, saying today marks the first day of the rest of her life and that Harris can not hurt the family again. 

During the emotionally charged sentencing, there was a large law enforcement presence. Increased court security surrounded the gallery and Harris, while police and detectives who had worked on the case filled the gallery to watch its conclusion. 

Harris maintains his innocence. Addressing the court, he talked about evidence that wasn't brought forward during trial that he says would have exonerated him. Judge Cawley and prosecutors say Harris had a fair trial. 

 

District Attorney Mike Korchak says Harris was convicted for the first time when he was just 15 years old and has since led a life of crime. Korchak says Harris even, in statements, admitted that he preyed on other people's addictions as a drug dealer.