The Indiana Court of Appeals cut a Gary man’s sentence down to 110 years Tuesday in a 13-year-old’s gang-linked slaying, but acknowledged he could still petition to get out of prison after 20 years.

Kriston Barbee, Jr., now 20, got 125 years in August 2024 for the Feb. 13, 2023 death of Orie Dodson after the boy disrespected a dead gang leader over social media.

Investigators allege that Elijah Porter, Dahvee Brunson and Barbee shot Dodson dead in front of Power & Light Church, located at 1351 Lincoln St., in Gary.

Authorities believe on a two-way Instagram Live video, Dodson was disrespecting Julius “Chop” James IV, 24. James was a “revered” and “untouchable” figure in the 49th Avenue Boys gang, according to court records. James was gunned down in Gary on Feb. 11, 2019.

Barbee was 17

See Full Page