A woman was sentenced Tuesday to five years in prison for her role in a robbery turned murder that happened outside a Smyrna restaurant.

Renee Harris was on her way to college with a gifted singing voice, when she made a poor decision.

Harris, who was 24 at the time, met with Quondre Bentley and Isadore Barboza at Doc's Food and Spirits restaurant on Cumberland Boulevard in October 2013 to rob a man who was with his girlfriend.

The robbery went awry when Ebony Driskell, the man’s girlfriend, reached in her purse for a gun, then shot and killed Bentley.

Barboza then shot Driskell, who died of her wounds.

Harris testified against Barboza during trial, identifying him as the shooter, but Driskell’s mother, Larna Cox, believed Harris could have done more to stop her daughter’s death, according to Channel 2 Action News.

“My daughter doesn’t have a future, she’s gone,” Cox said in court. “My whole future is gone.”

Harris’ family asked for a short sentence for her involvement and Harris said she planned to use her experience to help others headed down a similar dark path.

“I’m truly remorseful that happened, but I am no longer that person,” Harris said in court.

Harris pleaded guilty to armed robbery.

She could get out in two-and-a-half years with time served.

About the Author

Keep Reading

A member of a metro Atlanta Fire Department and his children place their hands on the casket of fallen DeKalb firefighter Preston Fant during a memorial service for Fant at Truist Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com

Featured

Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com