Holladay victim's father argues first-degree murder sentence is too short for teen shooters
The family of Demajhio Smith seeks aggravated murder charges, which carry a minimum 25-year sentence, to address what they call a gap in accountability for minors.
By Lorenzo Marshall ·
Ronald Smith, father of Demajhio Smith, told the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office that the current first-degree murder charges against two teenagers do not go far enough. The family wants prosecutors to upgrade the case to aggravated murder, a move that would increase the minimum prison sentence from 15 years to 25 years.
Demajhio Smith was shot and killed in the Holladay neighborhood. Seventeen-year-old Drake Hernandez and sixteen-year-old Umda Dike face first-degree murder charges and will stand trial as adults. The family viewed the defendants for the first time on November 11 in the Third District Courthouse in West Jordan.
Lawrence Smith, Demajhio’s uncle, described the courtroom encounter as deeply emotional. "It was very emotional, I saw a couple of young cowards, standing in the courtroom," Lawrence Smith said. Roxanne Clark, a friend of the family, added that seeing the defendants' families leave with apologies "breaks your heart."
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill stated that the office filed charges based on a review by senior and homicide attorneys. Gill explained that aggravated murder requires specific intent to cause death along with enumerated aggravators under Utah State Code 76-5-202. A regular murder conviction carries a sentence of 15 years to life, while aggravated murder carries 25 years to life without parole or the death penalty.
Ronald Smith argued that the higher charge is necessary to keep the shooters in custody longer. "Demajhio did not, he didn't have no children, I feel that these children should not be able to come out and be able to have a family and children of their own," Ronald Smith said. He noted that an aggravated charge could push the sentence out by thirty or forty more years.
Lilian Sannoh, Demajhio’s cousin, said the family wants a stronger penalty to prevent similar incidents. "Honestly, I feel like the charges that we have now are good, but I'd want to push for something a little stronger," Sannoh said. The family also supports stricter penalties for minors carrying guns, a position backed by local community members.
The district attorney’s office said it files charges supported by the available evidence. The family’s request for an upgrade stands as they await a final determination from prosecutors.
