New Trial Ordered In NC Teen's Slaying - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

New Trial Ordered In NC Teen's Slaying

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Phylicia Barnes Phylicia Barnes

BALTIMORE (AP) - Baltimore State's Attorney Gregg Bernstein says his office plans to retry Michael Johnson for the death of a North Carolina honor student who was missing for months before her body was found in a river.
    
A judge ordered a new trial Wednesday for Johnson, who was convicted last month in the death of 16-year-old Phylicia Barnes. Johnson's lawyers said prosecutors improperly tried to bolster the credibility of a witness who testified that Johnson asked him for help disposing of Barnes' body.
    
Bernstein says he looks forward to a new trial in which his office will be able to present evidence and testimony they believe will establish Johnson's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Johnson faced up to 30 years in prison.
    
Barnes disappeared while visiting relatives in Baltimore in December 2010.

 

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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