A young Louisiana mother has been sentenced to more than a decade in prison for her role in the killing of the father of her child — a murder that happened just days before the pair were set to face each other in court over custody.
Allyah Martin, 21, pleaded no contest on Monday to one count of conspiracy to commit second-degree murder in the 2024 killing of Steven Harris, court records show. She was sentenced to 15 years in a Louisiana state prison.
Martin was originally charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, but the charge was reduced as part of her plea.
Her co-defendants, Derek Terrell Hollins Jr. and Calajia Jack, are still awaiting trial in Louisiana on conspiracy to commit first-degree murder charges. Hollins is also facing a separate charge for possession of a machine gun after allegedly converting a Glock handgun into an automatic weapon. All three defendants also face first-degree murder charges in Wilkinson County, Mississippi.
Harris, 20, was a sophomore at Southern University, where he studied criminal justice and performed in the school’s famed marching band, the Human Jukebox. He was reported missing by family members on July 17, 2024.
His disappearance immediately raised alarm. Harris was scheduled to appear in court the very next day for a custody hearing involving Martin, the mother of his child, according to local reports.
Nearly a week later, on July 23, Harris’ body was discovered near a ravine in Pond, Mississippi. Authorities said he had suffered multiple fatal gunshot wounds and appeared to have been killed days before his remains were found.
Investigators believe Harris was lured to his death as part of a coordinated plan involving Martin and the two co-defendants. West Feliciana Parish Sheriff Brian Spillman previously said authorities developed strong evidence that the group conspired together to carry out the killing.
According to investigators, Harris was shot using a Glock handgun modified with a switch, allowing it to fire in fully automatic mode. Authorities believe the planning stages of the crime began in Louisiana before Harris was killed and his body dumped across state lines.
Harris’ mother, LaSonia Harris, said she believes her son was set up after he was picked up from his family’s home by someone driving an unfamiliar vehicle.
“I’m distraught from losing my son, the circumstances for which I lost my son,” she said in an interview. “I’m confused about why it had to come to this. I’m hurt, and I’m angry because it was unnecessary.”
Friends and classmates also spoke about Harris’ impact. A former Southern University marching band member described him as an amazing young man, a talented musician, and a natural leader who was deeply loved by those around him.
Court records and prior reports indicate that Harris and Martin had a contentious relationship, with both previously accusing each other of physical abuse. The two shared custody of their child, who primarily lived with Martin. Harris had previously asked a judge to hold Martin in contempt after she moved to Texas without notifying him, allegedly violating their custody agreement.
Following Martin’s sentencing, Harris’ mother said she has been told that the person responsible for her son’s death will never see his child.
The cases against the remaining defendants are still pending.
