September 4th 2024.
The mother of a young man who tragically lost his life over a $250 drug debt is heartbroken, her grief overwhelming. Griffin Harris was fatally shot during a violent confrontation at his home in Kalkallo, Melbourne's north, on September 21, 2022. Today, his killer, Dean John Bell, appeared before the Supreme Court in Melbourne after pleading guilty to homicide by firearm.
The news of Harris' death had shaken the community, and his mother's statement in court only added to the sadness. She shared that she feels like a part of her is gone forever, and that his death has affected every aspect of her life. She struggles with day-to-day activities and often visits her son's grave to feel close to him. Her heart is broken, and she misses him dearly.
The court was told that the violent home invasion was a result of growing animosity between Harris and one of the co-accused, Lachlan Kyle Belmore. The tension over the drug debt had escalated to angry texts and calls, leading to the fateful night. Bell, along with three others, arrived at Harris' home at 4.10am, wearing balaclavas and armed with a rifle. Smith and Batsanes were stationed outside, banging and kicking the front door, while Bell and Belmore jumped over the fence to enter the backyard.
Harris' girlfriend, who was inside the house, was woken up by the commotion. She went to investigate and came face-to-face with a man pointing a rifle at her head. Terrified, she ran to a neighbor's house and heard Harris yelling for help. By the time she returned, Harris had been beaten and shot fatally through the chest. The firearm was never found.
Bell's defense lawyer, Glenn Casement, stated that his client had spent 695 days in remand and had shown progress in his rehabilitation. He also expressed Bell's remorse for his role in the home invasion. Casement argued that Bell should receive a comparatively lower punishment than Belmore, as he was not the principal offender.
However, the prosecutor, Jane Warren, argued that even though Bell was not the shooter, he was still a party to the agreement to threaten and confront Harris with a loaded firearm. She pointed out that he had no real reason to involve himself in the dispute between Belmore and Harris. Belmore, who had organized the co-accused and the gun, had already been sentenced in May on one charge of manslaughter.
Bell's sentencing was postponed to a later date, and his mother continues to mourn the loss of her son. She shared that she sits by his grave to feel close to him and that her heart will forever be broken.
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