An 18-year-old Houston man accused of killing a woman during a robbery attempt previously avoided prison despite being sentenced for violent crimes, Newsmax crime correspondent Jason Mattera reported Wednesday.
The case is especially "maddening," he told Newsmax's "Wake Up America," not only because it "involves a repeat offender, but that the woman who was killed was in Houston helping a friend get through a tough day of chemotherapy."
Authorities say the suspect, Darius Hall, allegedly tried to rob Marietta Allison of her purse late on March 6 and shot her in the neck before stealing her car and leaving her to die in the street.
Allison's friend, Cassie Daniels, said the two had spent the day together at a Houston treatment center while Daniels underwent chemotherapy.
"She came back to take care of me while I was going through cancer," Daniels said.
Later that night, Daniels said Allison dropped her and her father off at a friend's building before parking the car.
"She dropped my dad and I and the luggage off at my friend's elevator, and then she went to park the car," Daniels said. "And when she parked the car, on her walk back, she was shot and killed."
Mattera said investigators believe Hall attempted to rob Allison before shooting her and stealing the vehicle.
"It's really tough. It was senseless. There was no rhyme or reason to this," Daniels said of the killing.
Mattera also reported that Hall was sentenced in 2024 by a juvenile court to 10 years in prison for violent crimes, including aggravated robbery and aggravated assault.
However, the judge suspended the sentence and placed Hall on community supervision for three years.
"This dirtbag never should have been free in the first place," Mattera said, noting Hall "was looking at 10 years in prison. Instead, he gets three years' probation."
Hall has now been charged with capital murder and is being held without bond. Mattera reported that the Justice Department has also filed federal charges against the 18-year-old for carjacking and a firearms offense.
GET TODAY NEWSMAX+:
NEWSMAX is the fastest-growing cable news channel in America with more than 30 million people watching!
Reuters Institute reports NEWSMAX is one of the top news brands in the U.S.
You need to watch NEWSMAX today.
Get it with great shows from Rob Schmitt, Greta Van Susteren, Greg Kelly, Carl Higbie, Rob Finnerty – and many more!
Find the NEWSMAX channel on your cable system – Go Here Now
BEST OFFER:
Sign up for NEWSMAX+ and get NEWSMAX, our streaming channel NEWSMAX2 and our military channel World at War.
Find hundreds of shows, movies and specials.
Even get Jon Voight's special series and President Trump's comedy programs and much more!
Watch NEWSMAX+ on your smartphone or home TV app.
Watch NEWSMAX anytime, anywhere!
Start your FREE trial now: NewsmaxPlus.com
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.