Judge Sentences Two in 2022 Columbus Fatal Robbery
A Columbus judge sentenced Mayel Porter to life without parole and Gregory Harris to 35 years for a fatal 2022 shooting.
Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in Criminal Justice
A judge handed down sentences to Mayel Porter and Gregory Harris for the 2022 shooting death of 16-year-old Joshua Huff during a robbery in Columbus. While Porter received life without the possibility of parole, Harris was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Why it matters
The sentencing concludes a legal proceeding regarding an armed robbery and carjacking that ended in the death of a teenage resident at an apartment complex on Cross Tie Court. A jury previously acquitted a third defendant, Malik Lewis, of all charges related to the case.
Mayel Porter received life without parole, while Gregory Harris was sentenced to 35 years, with both receiving credit for time served. A jury previously found co-defendant Malik Lewis not guilty on all charges.
The players
Mayel Porter
He was a defendant in the fatal shooting case who received a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Gregory Harris
He was a defendant in the case who was sentenced to 35 years in prison for his involvement in the robbery and killing.
Malik Lewis
He was a co-defendant in the legal proceedings who was found not guilty of all charges by a jury.
Joshua Huff
He was the 16-year-old victim who died during an armed robbery and carjacking incident in 2022.
The details
The judge issued the sentences at the government center in uptown Columbus after reviewing evidence presented during the trial. The charges stemmed from a violent 2022 incident involving an armed robbery and carjacking at an apartment complex on Cross Tie Court.
Timeline
Joshua Huff was shot and killed in 2022.
The judge handed down sentences to the defendants on October 19, 2026.
Legal Context
The sentencing follows established patterns set by the Georgia sentencing guidelines for felony murder. These legal standards dictate mandatory minimums for violent crimes resulting in death within the state jurisdiction.
The conclusion of this trial provides closure to the investigation surrounding the violent incident on Cross Tie Court. Local residents and stakeholders can review public court records for further details on the proceedings conducted at the uptown government center.
The takeaway
This case serves as a reminder of the legal consequences for violent crimes involving armed robbery. Families affected by similar incidents may seek support through local victim advocacy services.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings in the area, visit the Criminal Justice section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wtvm.
