Mother Who Attempted to Kill Her Daughter's Suspected Child Abuser Found Guilty of Murder
Apr 08, 11:00 PM
Danyale Harris, enraged after viewing a video of a 22-year-old man sexually abusing her 12-year-old daughter, resolved to exact revenge by gathering a group of people to confront the suspect at his residence, Georgia authorities said.
According to authorities, Harris found a video of her then-12-year-old daughter "involved in a sexual act" with 22-year-old Antonio Harley on March 31, 2020. The next day, she allegedly reported her discovery to authorities and was cautioned "not to let her anger get the best of her and not to try to exact revenge." Authorities said they would contact Harris during the inquiry.
During the ensuing shootout, one of the men that Harris brought with her was killed. Harris, 42, faces the possibility of spending the rest of her life in prison. A jury in DeKalb County convicted Harris of felony murder, aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm while committing a felony, according to District Attorney Sherry Boston in a press release issued Friday.
The chain of events began on March 31, 2020, when Harris discovered a video of her daughter having sex with a man identified as Antonio Harley, according to investigators. Harris reported the footage to the DeKalb County Police Department the next day. Officers told her they would investigate the situation and get back to her.
Instead, Harris is accused of "trying to take the law into her own hands." Several hours later, Harris drove a group to an apartment complex to confront Harley.
According to a press release by the DeKalb County District Attorney, Harris asked her daughter to point out Harley's apartment around 1 p.m. on April 1, 2020. Harris, armed with pistols, knocked on the apartment door while her cohorts stood behind her. Harley did not open the door but walked around the side of the flat to see who was inside. Harris and the rest of the group chased Harley, who entered the apartment through the rear door.
As soon as Harley closed the door, someone in Harris' group opened fire, wounding him in the chest, according to prosecutors. According to authorities, Harley's brother responded by firing back in order to protect their five younger siblings who were also present in the residence. The gunfire struck Juan Newkirk, a 19-year-old member of Harris' crew. Newkirk died.
Harley, now 26, survived the shooting and faces charges of statutory rape, child abuse, and sexual exploitation of children. His lawsuit is pending.
Prosecutors said two other people were charged in the gunfight and are awaiting trial.
Harris was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole plus five years.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
According to authorities, Harris found a video of her then-12-year-old daughter "involved in a sexual act" with 22-year-old Antonio Harley on March 31, 2020. The next day, she allegedly reported her discovery to authorities and was cautioned "not to let her anger get the best of her and not to try to exact revenge." Authorities said they would contact Harris during the inquiry.
During the ensuing shootout, one of the men that Harris brought with her was killed. Harris, 42, faces the possibility of spending the rest of her life in prison. A jury in DeKalb County convicted Harris of felony murder, aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm while committing a felony, according to District Attorney Sherry Boston in a press release issued Friday.
The chain of events began on March 31, 2020, when Harris discovered a video of her daughter having sex with a man identified as Antonio Harley, according to investigators. Harris reported the footage to the DeKalb County Police Department the next day. Officers told her they would investigate the situation and get back to her.
Instead, Harris is accused of "trying to take the law into her own hands." Several hours later, Harris drove a group to an apartment complex to confront Harley.
According to a press release by the DeKalb County District Attorney, Harris asked her daughter to point out Harley's apartment around 1 p.m. on April 1, 2020. Harris, armed with pistols, knocked on the apartment door while her cohorts stood behind her. Harley did not open the door but walked around the side of the flat to see who was inside. Harris and the rest of the group chased Harley, who entered the apartment through the rear door.
As soon as Harley closed the door, someone in Harris' group opened fire, wounding him in the chest, according to prosecutors. According to authorities, Harley's brother responded by firing back in order to protect their five younger siblings who were also present in the residence. The gunfire struck Juan Newkirk, a 19-year-old member of Harris' crew. Newkirk died.
Harley, now 26, survived the shooting and faces charges of statutory rape, child abuse, and sexual exploitation of children. His lawsuit is pending.
Prosecutors said two other people were charged in the gunfight and are awaiting trial.
Harris was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole plus five years.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com