It's September 4, 2015. The place, the Kent County Courthouse, and Kent County, Michigan.

Ladies and gentlemen, the jury has been advised that you have reached a verdict. Is that so?

Yes, great.

Judge Paul J. Denonfeld is at the bench. The jury has just come back inside after announcing that they had reached their verdict.

At the defense table is a teenage boy, 14 years old, wearing dark slacks and a blue and white plaid collared shirt.

He is seated between two of his attorneys, and he anxiously awaits his fate.

We the jury have been to defend it, to American, wrong or guilty, in the first degree.

A first degree murder.

Jamarian Lahorn has just been found guilty of first degree murder. His victim's family is seated in the gallery, and they tearfully embrace after hearing the verdict.

The energy in the courtroom is solemn. No one is overjoyed, no one is angry, just solemn and sad.

It's a case where there are truly no winners, a case that really puts the justice system to the test.

The legal aftermath of a then 12-year-old, senselessly murdering, and nine-year-old.

Today's episode might start with a guilty verdict, but the fact that Jamarian Lahorn was found guilty isn't really the focal point of this case.

Instead, how did we get here? Why did Jamarian murder another child? And what would the justice system do with him afterwards? Well, you're about to find out.

This is Jillian, and you are listening to Court Junkie, Episode 127.

On August 4, 2014, Jamarian Lahorn, 12 years old at the time, called 911 from a home in Kentwood, Michigan, a town about 15 minutes south of downtown Grand Rapids.

He had walked to the home and had asked the homeowner if he could use his phone.

Glenn Stacey would later tell reporters that he thought the young boy was going to call his mom, but he was surprised when the boy called 911 instead.

In county 911, where's your emergency?

Hello, does your emergency have an emergency?

Can I have a piece of paper at 5657?

So it's 5657?

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