HOUSTON — A Houston man will spend the next 40 years in prison for killing an 11-year-old boy.
The family of DJ Dugas said they finally have justice after he was shot and killed two years ago while he was simply walking outside to get something out of a car.
The decision is something DJ’s family calls justice.
On Wednesday afternoon, you could take one look across the 178th Criminal District Court in Harris County and see the emotions of the family.
“No family should have to ever go through this,” DJ’s Grandmother Marjai Francis said.
Marjai spoke to us moments after 21-year-old Daveyonne Howard, the man who killed her grandson, was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
In February 2022, Howard was caught breaking into vehicles and opened fire on the owner who was chasing him to recover stolen property. One of the bullets hit and killed DJ while the child was getting something from a car.
The 11-year-old was one of several children shot in the beginning months of 2022.
“DJ was a lot of things, very charismatic, a joy to be around,” DJ’s Mother Brenetta Francis said.
This is a joy celebrated by those who knew DJ best at vigils held shortly after his death. Howard was arrested a few weeks later. At the time, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzales told us at the time he had an extensive criminal record.
“This young man had repeat offenses, aggravated offenses and he was out and it was bound to happen to somebody because no one stopped and say, hey, this is enough,” Marjai said.
“We did believe that life was appropriate. But after hearing what the judge ruled and talking to the family, they're happy. We're happy,” Assistant District Attorney Karina Batista said.
“It wasn't an easy day, but it was necessary,” Brenetta said.
Our cameras were not allowed inside the courtroom but could film through windows and captured several emotional testimonies.
Howard also apologized to DJ’s family and said he did not mean to take DJ away from them.
“No amount of time will bring DJ back. But I do feel that justice was served,” Brenetta said.
Howard’s attorney did not speak after the decision was made.
When Howard was out on bond for previous charges, that decision was made by a visiting judge in the 178th district, not Kelly Johnson or the judge making Wednesday’s decision.