Testimony reveals new information in murder of local high school student

by Leanne Tokars (ltokars@wsbt.com)

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Larry Mitchell on trial for shooting Ja-Vanda Tharbs

Police believe Larry Mitchell mistook Washington High School student Ja-Vanda Tharbs for her sister, and shot her last spring. (WSBT File Photo)

By Tiffany Griffin

Story Created: Dec 12, 2007 at 6:08 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 3, 2008 at 2:29 PM EST

(WSBT) The trial is underway for the man accused of shooting to death a local high school student on prom night. Police believe Larry Mitchell mistook 16-year-old Ja-Vonda Tharbs for her sister, and shot her.

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Mitchell recently spent time in jail on other charges. It turns out, what he said during that time could be what puts him behind bars for this.

In front of a full courtroom, the most explosive testimony came from three inmates at the St. Joseph County Jail. They each told the jury that Larry Mitchell had confessed to killing Tharbs.

A former inmate and friend of Mitchell's also took the stand and admitted the same.

“It brings it back, but it gives me some clarity. Even though somebody said somebody done it, I've got proof, evidence, things showing up that I need to know about," said Tharbs' mother Yvonne Fountain.

Tharbs' mother, Yvonne, has carried the pain of losing her since the night of Washington High School's 2006 prom.

That's when prosecutor's claim Mitchell shot Tharbs three times while she was waiting at her sister's apartment in South Bend for a ride to an after prom party.

Testimony revealed the shooting may be gang related, and the intended victim may have been Tharbs' sister. Testimony revealed the sister may have been targeted for statements she made about another shooting that happened just weeks before.

Leaving Tharbs’ mother hoping for one thing in court — a guilty verdict.

“She was like the glue that kept us together. She did just what she said. She kissed and hugged all day long and we miss that,” Fountain remembered.

“I definitely want justice to be served, but I want my family to find closure and I want forgiveness," she said.

Mitchell's defense lawyer pointed out that the inmates who testified may have done so to help themselves. Many times an inmate can get special consideration in his or her case for giving information.

The trial will continue Thursday.

There have been several disruptions in the courtroom. The judge has made a special order that if anyone disrupts the proceedings, they will serve 30 days in jail.

If found guilty, Mitchell could face up to 65 years in prison.

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