One of Two Teens Sentenced in 2025 Homicide

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One of two teenagers linked to a 2025 homicide in Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced on Tuesday. Jayden Xavier Cosme, 19, received a 6-year sentence for his role in the killing of 59-year-old Laron Duane Rosse. Cosme and 19-year-old Jaylen Murray were initially accused of getting into an argument with Rosse that escalated into a physical fight, with Murray allegedly shooting Rosse multiple times before the two teenagers fled the scene.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of addressing youth violence and the complexities of plea bargaining in homicide cases, where suspects may initially claim self-defense before accepting reduced charges in an effort to avoid lengthy prison sentences.

The details

Cosme was sentenced for the lower-level charge of assisting a criminal in murder, after both he and Murray initially claimed self-defense. The two teenagers ended up taking plea deals in an effort to have the murder charges against them dismissed and their prison sentences cut down by decades.

• In May 2025, Cosme - then 18 years old - and Murray, 19, were accused of getting into an argument with Rosse that escalated.
• On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Cosme was sentenced to 6 years in prison for his role in the killing.
• Murray's sentencing is scheduled for February 19, 2026.

What’s next

Murray's sentencing is scheduled for February 19, 2026.