Teen killer who escaped hard time thanks to 'soft-on-crime' Los Angles DA George Gascon is arrested for murder again just six years later

A Los Angeles teen who escaped hard prison time after being convicted of murder was released by District Attorney George Gascón and accused of a second killing less than a year later.

Denmonne Lee was convicted in 2018 after a gas station robbery in Antelope Valley ended in the death of former Marine John Ruh. While the then-16-year-old was not the shooter, he was acquainted with Ruh and provided his co-defendant Deonta 'Fatboy' Johnson with the weapon, per official records.

Gascón took office two years after Ruh's murder and barred prosecutors from trying juveniles as adults, so Lee was commanded to serve time at the Secure Youth Treatment Facility in Sylmar until he turned 25, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. 

A year after his conviction, officials said Lee 'responded very well' to programs while in jail and probation officials moved him from the Sylmar facility to a rehabilitation-focused setting in Malibu.

Last June, the 22-year-old was released to a halfway house, enrolled in community college and found a job at a nonprofit, per the LA Times. 

A Los Angeles teen who escaped hard prison time after being convicted of murder was released by DA George Gascón, pictured, and accused of a second killing less than a year later

But in April he was arrested and charged with playing a role in the January 19 murder of 28-year-old Eric Ruffins in Compton.

Ruh's widow Michelle Brace said in court this month: 'Denmonne, you were given a gift and you squandered that gift. Against my family’s wishes, I had hope that you would change and help your community. 

'I will always pray for you and your safety. You broke my heart when I heard you were in trouble again.

'You gave me hope when you apologized to me about killing … my husband. I forgave you, now I feel like a fool.'

Brace told the LA Times she plans to move out of California - but not before she votes against Gascón, one of the country’s most progressive prosecutors, in November.

Denmonne Lee was convicted of murder after a 2018 gas station robbery ended in the death of former Marine John Ruh (pictured)

While the then-16-year-old was not the shooter, he was acquainted with Ruh and provided his co-defendant Deonta 'Fatboy' Johnson with the weapon, per official records

Activists against Gascón often cite cases where they say his ban of trying juveniles as adults has led to more crimes.

After massive backlash, Gascón's office has since created a method for officials to have cases transferred to adult court.

Following Ruh's murder, police said Lee walked away 'smiling' after the veteran was shot three times.

Lee reportedly bragged about the killing to his girlfriend, saying his gun 'had a body on it.' Prosecutors also claimed Lee threatened his girlfriend while in custody, saying he was going to shoot her for 'snitching.'

The DA's office told the LA Times in a statement that regardless of Gascón’s policy, Lee should have remained in juvenile court because he was not the shooter and had no prior criminal record.

But in April he was arrested and charged with playing a role in the January 19 murder of 28-year-old Eric Ruffins (pictured) in Compton

Gascón's November opponent Nathan Hochman, a former federal prosecutor, has tried to capitalize on anger over crime and homelessness, issues that led voters to unseat San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin in a recall election in 2022.

In his campaign ads, Hochman, a defense attorney, has vowed to change the direction of the district attorney, saying: 'It’s time we had a DA who fights for victims, not criminals.'

Gascón was elected on a criminal justice reform platform in 2020, in the wake of George Floyd’s killing by police. He faced a recall attempt within his first 100 days and a second attempt later, which both failed to get on the ballot.

During his first term, Gascón immediately imposed his campaign agenda: not seeking the death penalty; not prosecuting juveniles as adults; ending cash bail for misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies; and no longer filing enhancements triggering stiffer sentences for certain elements of crimes, repeat offenses or gang membership.

Ruh's widow Michelle Brace said  she plans to move out of California - but not before she votes against Gascón, one of the country’s most progressive prosecutors, in November

He was forced to roll back some of his biggest reforms early in his tenure, such as initially ordering the elimination of more than 100 enhancements and elevating a hate crime from misdemeanor to a felony. 

The move infuriated victims’ advocates, and Gascón backpedaled, restoring enhancements in cases involving children, older people and people targeted because of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or disability.

His challengers have pledged to reverse many or nearly all of his most progressive policies, such as his early orders to eliminate filing for sentencing enhancements.