LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
Dejharie Campbell, 20, accepted a plea deal on Thursday, Aug. 8 for his role in a Friday, June 28 altercation that led to a self-inflicted fatality. Campbell was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon (Class 4 Felony), obstructing justice (Class 4 Felony) and aggravated assault (Class A Misdemeanor). The two latter charges were dropped as part of Thursday’s deal, which enrolls Campbell in the State of Illinois’ First Time Weapon Offense Program.
Anyone in the program must serve a 24-month probation. For Campbell, probation will begin after completing the remainder of his mandatory confinement at the Edgar County Jail, of which he is credited for 42 days already served. Campbell’s sentence calls for 180 days of confinement in the county jail, which can be halved to 90 days assuming Campbell remains eligible for 50 percent (day-for-day) good behavior credit.
According to Edgar County State’s Attorney Philip Dobelstein, the deal was reached to offer Campbell, who has no criminal history, a second chance.
“He made a stupid mistake. I wanted to give him an opportunity to change his course,” Dobelstein said.
Dobelstein also observed that, while Campbell could have received a maximum of three years in prison if convicted in court, his status as a first-time offender, plus day-for-day good behavior credit accrued during his internment, would likely slash his sentence if the case went to trial.
While Dobelstein was willing to reach a compromise, he explained that Campbell’s actions were still reckless.
“Since a gun was involved in an apartment complex with other families, it made the situation more volatile,” Dobelstein said.
Per witness testimony and surveillance footage recovered from the area of Campbell’s apartment at 311 Cook Drive in Kansas, the June 28 altercation began when Campbell approached Xavier T. Harris, 31. Moments later, Campbell pointed a weapon at Harris’ face. Harris raised his hands in the air before Campbell turned and walked back to his apartment.
While Campbell’s back was turned, Harris acquired a firearm from his nearby parked car and opened fire on Campbell, shooting several rounds into Campbell’s apartment. Campbell entered his apartment before reemerging moments later with a limp, having been shot in the leg during Harris’ salvo.
Harris promptly retreated to his own apartment, where he turned the gun on himself. Harris was officially proclaimed dead later that afternoon after an Air Evac team transported him to Carle Hospital.
According to arguments from Edgar County Public Defender Nathanael Harsy during Campbell’s pre-trial release hearing, Campbell confronted Harris because Harris reportedly slapped Campbell’s younger brother and tore his sweatshirt. Harris reportedly told Campbell of the incident and threatened both Campbell and his brother.
Harsy reported that Harris ran away after that exchange and explained Campbell genuinely believed Harris intended to harm his family and his little brother. Campbell told his fiance to have his mother lock their apartment doors and an attempt was made to contact the police, but poor cell reception prevented the call from going through.
After the shooting, Campbell’s weapon, which was never fired during the incident, was recovered outside a window in Campbell’s apartment.
As part of his 24-month probation, Campbell is expected to find gainful employment or attend a qualifying vocational school, complete 30 hours of community service, pay various fines and fees, take an anger management evaluation and complete any treatment prescribed during said evaluation. Campbell is also subject to random drug tests and warrantless searches by his parole officer or law enforcement should there arise reasonable suspicion that he has violated the terms of his parole.
If Campbell violates his parole, he could be resentenced for the original charges filed against him, resulting in jail time.
“In the event he fails probation… he still has the possibility of being sent to prison,” said Dobelstein.
For more information, view The Prairie Press’ previous coverage of this story at www.prairiepress.net.