Woman in 'dark phase' at time of deadly bar shooting gets 5 years

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — A woman who helped plan a botched robbery that ended with two murders in a restaurant parking lot now knows her sentence.

Renee Harris has realized only way too late she had it made.
 
A loving family, a scholarship to Berkley, an offer to an exclusive music school, and her parents say an enchanting singing voice.

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"When she sings, people -- we've seen audiences just start weeping," mother Joyce Harris said.

"But in that moment I was just a confused person," Renee Harris said.

That moment was an October night in 2013.

Harris had hooked up with a man named Quondre Bentley, they met another man named Isadore Barboza at the Doc's restaurant in Smyrna, and the trio planned to rob a man flashing money at the bar.
  
The robbery went bad when the victim's girlfriend pulled out a gun, Ebony Driskell died in the parking lot, Bentley was found dead down the street.
 
"I'm truly remorseful that happened, but I am no longer that person," Renee Harris said.
 
Prosecutors say Harris helped them find Barbosa, the triggerman, and eventually testified against him -- he's serving life. 
 
Her family pleaded with the judge to only give her five years for her role, but Driskell's mother believes Renee Harris could have stopped what happened.
 
"My daughter doesn't have a future, she's gone," mother Larna Cox said. "My whole future is gone."

READ: Detective: Man flashing $100 bills prompted deadly bar shooting in Smyrna
 
Harris vowed when she gets out she will use her life as a lesson to others too late for Driskell's family, but she is eager to share her story of bad choices.
 
"And it's something I've had to relive night after night being in here and I'm very remorseful for what's happened," Renee Harris said.
 
Renee Harris had pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery, even though prosecutors asked for more time, judge Robert Flournoy sentenced her to five years in prison.
 
With time already served, Harris could get out in about two-and-a-half years.

Cox Media Group