The Phylicia Barnes Murder Trial: Day Of Celebrations Won’t Overshadow Pursuit Of Justice For Slain Honors Teen
Posted by David Adams on February 5th, 2013
The town is painted in purple as native Baltimoreans gear up for the celebratory festivities of another Super Bowl victory for the second time in Baltimore Ravens team history, the city prepares to officially say goodbye to legendary Ravens Linebacker Ray Lewis, and just foot steps away from where the Ravens victory parade will begin at City Hall there is a more important event playing out in the backdrop at a Baltimore Circuit Court East courtroom. The tragic story of a pretty and promising little girl who lost her life while visiting Baltimore two years ago is finally reaching it’s culmination, as 12 citizens from Baltimore work deliberating in the murder trial of Michael Johnson vs. The People of Maryland, to determine if he in fact killed Phylicia Simone Barnes as state prosecutors have alleged. The trial judge Alfred Nance had offered the jurors the opportunity to take an early lunch break to allow jurors the opportunity to get a glimpse of the Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl victory parade. Surprisingly, the jury declined and decided to work through the celebration. Many followers of the case find the move admirable because it shows serious attention is being given to the magnitude and importance of the case. The jurors also sent request to the judge shortly after deliberations began, asking for audio & video equipment, a T.V., and markers in an early sign that the jury may be in deliberations for some time. The timing of the conflict couldn’t be foreseen because the planned trial period simply coincidentally just happened to fall right around the time of the Super Bowl, and a Ravens victory could not have been predicted. The scene in downtown Baltimore is chaotic with all traffic moving at a snail’s pace. While hundreds of thousands of Baltimoreans celebrate their local football teams championship victory, enjoying life, and the fanfare of a city’s pride seems unfair that Raheem and Janice Mustafa’s precious daughter lost her life in this exact same city without provocation. Although the movement bares an untimely contrast suitable for the pursuit of justice, some of Phylicia’s Baltimore family left the courthouse yesterday appearing confident that justice will be served. For the time being Baltimore will celebrate a National Football League Super Bowl Championship for the hometown Baltimore Ravens football team, but there is work being done as we speak to find justice for a little girl who died senselessly. The verdict can come at any moment now. We’re still praying for justice!!!
David B. Adams grew up in the Highlandtown section of Baltimore's southeast district and is his parent's youngest child. He experienced pervasive poverty, which taught him humility and compassion for the plight of others. His exposure to violence and gritty urban life were some of his early lessons of life's many hardships. Adams credits the upheavals he endured during his conformity with helping to shape the foundation of his outlook and perspectives on society.
With a steadfast commitment to giving voice to the voiceless, Adams is a journalist, crime writer, and blogger renowned for tireless investigative journalism and advocacy on behalf of vulnerable populations. As founder and administrator of The People's Champion, Adams sheds light on critical social issues, championing the rights of:
- Homeless individuals
- Victims of violent crime and their families
- Wrongfully convicted individuals
- Missing and exploited children; Additionally, he is
a seasoned investigative reporter, Adams has earned recognition for relentless pursuit of truth and justice. With a strong national and global focus, on inspiring meaningful change and crucial conversations impacting all of humanity.
The town is painted in purple as native Baltimoreans gear up for the celebratory festivities of another Super Bowl victory for the second time in Baltimore Ravens team history, the city prepares to officially say goodbye to legendary Ravens Linebacker Ray Lewis, and just foot steps away from where the Ravens victory parade will begin at City Hall there is a more important event playing out in the backdrop at a Baltimore Circuit Court East courtroom. The tragic story of a pretty and promising little girl who lost her life while visiting Baltimore two years ago is finally reaching it’s culmination, as 12 citizens from Baltimore work deliberating in the murder trial of Michael Johnson vs. The People of Maryland, to determine if he in fact killed Phylicia Simone Barnes as state prosecutors have alleged. The trial judge Alfred Nance had offered the jurors the opportunity to take an early lunch break to allow jurors the opportunity to get a glimpse of the Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl victory parade. Surprisingly, the jury declined and decided to work through the celebration. Many followers of the case find the move admirable because it shows serious attention is being given to the magnitude and importance of the case. The jurors also sent request to the judge shortly after deliberations began, asking for audio & video equipment, a T.V., and markers in an early sign that the jury may be in deliberations for some time. The timing of the conflict couldn’t be foreseen because the planned trial period simply coincidentally just happened to fall right around the time of the Super Bowl, and a Ravens victory could not have been predicted. The scene in downtown Baltimore is chaotic with all traffic moving at a snail’s pace. While hundreds of thousands of Baltimoreans celebrate their local football teams championship victory, enjoying life, and the fanfare of a city’s pride seems unfair that Raheem and Janice Mustafa’s precious daughter lost her life in this exact same city without provocation. Although the movement bares an untimely contrast suitable for the pursuit of justice, some of Phylicia’s Baltimore family left the courthouse yesterday appearing confident that justice will be served. For the time being Baltimore will celebrate a National Football League Super Bowl Championship for the hometown Baltimore Ravens football team, but there is work being done as we speak to find justice for a little girl who died senselessly. The verdict can come at any moment now. We’re still praying for justice!!!
David B. Adams grew up in the Highlandtown section of Baltimore's southeast district and is his parent's youngest child. He experienced pervasive poverty, which taught him humility and compassion for the plight of others. His exposure to violence and gritty urban life were some of his early lessons of life's many hardships. Adams credits the upheavals he endured during his conformity with helping to shape the foundation of his outlook and perspectives on society.
With a steadfast commitment to giving voice to the voiceless, Adams is a journalist, crime writer, and blogger renowned for tireless investigative journalism and advocacy on behalf of vulnerable populations. As founder and administrator of The People's Champion, Adams sheds light on critical social issues, championing the rights of:
- Homeless individuals
- Victims of violent crime and their families
- Wrongfully convicted individuals
- Missing and exploited children; Additionally, he is
a seasoned investigative reporter, Adams has earned recognition for relentless pursuit of truth and justice. With a strong national and global focus, on inspiring meaningful change and crucial conversations impacting all of humanity.
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