What was expected to be a fun night with friends five years ago instead left a Brooklyn family completely shattered. Now, a Canarsie mother is pushing for legislation in honor of her slain daughter. 

On Sept. 5, 2016, Tiarah Poyou headed out with friends in Crown Heights. She had a promising future after graduating with her master’s degree. 

Her mother, Vertina Brown, says from what she learned during the trial, the convicted killer, 20-year-old Reginald Moise, had approached Poyou and tried to dance with her. 

She says she told him no and that’s when he pulled out his gun.

"Tiarah was all about culture, and her heritage because she was half Haitian because she went to this festival with her friends to enjoy herself, not to be groped on. The forensic doctor said this was an intentional killing, he had to be directly in front of her,” said Brown. 

But the Canarsie mom says jurors forgot that detail -- sparing Moise from a life sentence. 

"He did get 17 years, but that was not for my daughter's murder. He only got 1 to 4 years for my daughter's murder. He got more years for carrying that gun,” said Brown. 

She says she channeled grief her anger into action--asking state Sen. Roxanne Persaud for help. Together, they worked on an act named in memory of the 22-year-old. 

“We want to make sure if a juror is asking for instructions in writing so that they could have it. To review it, that should be allowed,” said Persaud. 

As Brown’s only child, she doesn’t want her death to be in vain. The bill was passed by the Senate and Persaud hopes it will make it through the Assembly when they return in January.