Today, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters announced the indictment of Darris DeVaughn (DOB 3-20-90) and Christopher Whitt (DOB 12-26-85) for the June 7, 2007 murder of John Harris. DeVaughn and Whitt are now charged with 1 count of Aggravated Murder (Special Felony), 1 count of Murder (Special Felony) and 1 count of Aggravated Robbery (Felony 1). If convicted of all charges, they face the possibility of life in prison without parole.

On June 7, 2007 at approximately 2:25 a.m. the Cincinnati Police Department received a 911 call to 4261 Fergus Street in Northside. The police responded and found 24-year-old John Harris shot in front of his residence. He had been shot 3 times and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Hamilton County Coroner ruled his death a homicide.

Mr. Harris’s black Chevrolet Monte Carlo was missing from the scene as well as personal property belonging to Mr. Harris including a gold chain, removable gold teeth, bank cards and identification cards.

Shortly after Mr. Harris’s murder, the police found the abandoned Monte Carlo in the entrance to Spring Grove Cemetery. The bank and identification cards were found on the ground at the intersection of Chase Avenue and Chambers Street.

In September 2020 the Cincinnati Police Department asked a CPD criminalist to reexamine the evidence in the case against any improvements in technology which lead to the arrest of the 2 defendants today.

Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters commented, “I commend the Cincinnati Police Department for their hard work and dedication to this case.

Although the crime happened in 2007, the police never forgot about Mr. Harris’s murder and continued to work hard to solve the case. Thanks to improvements in technology, CPD was able to develop a lead that resulted in the indictment today of these 2 defendants.

I also want to commend Peggy Harris, Mr. Harris’s mother. Mrs. Harris is an amazing advocate for her deceased son and other families dealing with the loss of a loved one and an unsolved homicide. Mrs. Harris can be found at almost every community event that works to promote peace in our community and encourage people with information on unsolved homicides to contact the police. Mrs. Harris and her son’s children worked closely with the Cincinnati Police Department on their recent video “Shoot This, Not That” which chronicles the pain of children whose families have experienced homicide and gun violence.

Nothing gives the Cincinnati Police or my office more satisfaction than helping victims of violent crimes get justice. Today is a good day for the Harris family and our entire community.”