Columbia man sentenced to 10 years in prison in connection to 2012 murder

A Columbia man was sentenced to a decade behind bars for his role in a murder.

Larrell Banks received 10 years in prison for his connection to a 2012 murder.

Originally, prosecutors charged Larrell Banks for the murder of Lamont Sargent in March. In September, that charge was dropped.

Instead, another man, Durantrae Logan, is spending 20 years behind bars for pleading guilty to the murder.

Investigators say Sargent was killed during a drug deal gone bad. Sargent’s family says although Banks did not pull the trigger, they believe he deserves the maximum 15-year sentence.

Sargent’s family were in tears Monday afternoon about how they missed their brother, father and son. In court they talked directly to Banks saying they forgive him, but that he is guilty.

Court documents show on March 4, 2012, Banks and Logan went to Sargent’s house for a drug deal which quickly turned into a robbery and then murder.

“During the course of Larrell Banks selling drugs to Lamont Sargent, Sargent pulled out a large amount of cash. At that point Logan decided that he was going to take the cash. During the course of the robbery Logan shot and killed Sargent,” said Boone County assistant prosecutor Roger Johnson.

Prosecutors say Banks claims he did not know his friend was armed, but after the shooting drove Logan from the scene.

Prosecutors recommended the maximum sentence for Banks’ two convictions: hindering prosecution and distribution of a controlled substance conviction.

Prosecutors tell ABC 17 News the reason Banks’ murder charges were dropped is because he cooperated with police and did not fire the weapon used in the murder.