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Great strides were made during the first day in the murder trial of Michael Johnson with the state piece by piece beginning to mount very compelling circumstantial evidence against him to prove to a jury that he in fact killed honors teen Phylicia Barnes. After opening arguments, the state called Kelly Barnes to the stand, and questioned her regarding Phylicia’s activities and where she was staying while she was in Baltimore. Kelly told the court that upon the teen’s arrival, she initially stayed with her and went to work with her, but on subsequent trips, she stayed with Deena, who lived with Michael Johnson and one of Johnson’s cousins (William Johnson). When asked why Phylicia started staying with Deena, Kelly said, “My house might be boring.” Kelly was supposed to pick up Phylicia on the day she vanished, but wasn’t able to reach her while on her way to the apartment and went home. Later, when they realized Phylicia was missing, she said a number of people went to Deena’s apartment. Michael Johnson was among them, and Kelly testified that he sat on the couch and interacted little with the others. “We were going over texts and who called and what she said,” Kelly testified. Then “we sat up and waited, hoping she would come through the door.” Although Kelly offered this rationalization why she didn’t pick up Phylicia as planned that day, many people within the public are still very disturbed that she never just went by the apartment. More importantly, why the fact she couldn’t reach Phylicia by text or cellphone didn’t raise a red flag for her. The prosecution called Bryan Barnes to the stand and during the defense cross examination, defense attorneys questioned him about an interview he, Deena Barnes and Kelly Barnes conducted with an internet radio show about missing children. Attorney Tony Garcia raised questions about why Deena did not consent to answer questions, and asked Bryan Barnes whether Deena had stormed out on multiple occasions. Bryan said she had left multiple times, but did not know why. There hasn’t been any indication whether the “Peas” broadcast would be a part of the evidence presented to the jury in this case, but the fact the show was brought up in court does reveal the controversial interview that the Barnes siblings gave “Peas In Their Pods” has been given some weight at least by the defense toward the potential outcome of the case. During that show’s broadcast when the host opened the telephone lines for questioning from the public, Deena mysteriously exited the show, and created suspicion among listeners who believed she had something to hide regarding the disappearance of her kid sister. It’s uncertain if her departure from the talk show was the result of some directive from police or legal counsel, but Bryan Barnes admitting that Deena had stormed out on several occasions during the broadcast demonstrates that her sudden departure was deliberate and not due to some other pressing obligation. The defense’ mentioning of the “Peas” interview appears to be an attempt to cast suspicion on Deena Barnes, while creating some measure of reasonable doubt that someone other than their client is responsible for the Barnes teen killing, and perhaps Deena has knowledge of who murdered her. Listen to the entire “Peas In Their Pods” broadcast here:
Kelly and Bryan Barnes also testified that they were unaware that Deena had allowed Phylicia to drink alcohol, an allegation that Deena has continuously publicly denied. Another mystery in the case was also cleared up. four of the five defense attorneys filing their appearance in the case are representing Michael Johnson. TPC had raised questions as to why so many counsels had filed with the court in this case, and suspected that others may be charged along side Johnson. It’s still not known for whom the fifth attorney represents. Many from the public and Janice Mustafa, Phylicia’s mother wanted Deena Barnes charged as well. Prosecutors described Phylicia Barnes as a bright girl who spent lots of time on her cellphone and social media sites, and forged a tight bond with Deena Barnes and another half sister, Kelly. When she first visited Baltimore, Phylicia stayed with Kelly, who lived alone. But on subsequent trips, she began staying with Deena, who lived with Johnson and one of Johnson’s cousins. “Deena Barnes made horrible mistakes in the supervision of her sister,” Goldberg said. “While at times she was very protective, other times she was far too permissive.” After the sexual video was filmed on June 13, 2010, Goldberg said, Johnson began interacting with Phylicia Barnes with increasing frequency. They exchanged 20 text messages during the first two weeks of June and would trade more than 1,300 messages over the next six months, nearly triple the amount of text of 500 previously publicly reported. Goldberg told jurors: “1,300 messages between a 28-year-old man and a 16-year-old girl.” Prosecutors also called Michael Johnson’s baby brother Dylane Davis, who testified he slept in the same bed as Deena and Phylicia the night before the teen went missing, testified he returned to the apartment to find the door unlocked and music blaring, something they did when leaving the apartment unattended and with the door unlocked, to discourage would-be burglars. He also testified that he thought nothing of it. Dylane is also suspected of being the other juvenile depicted in the sex tape engaging in sexual relations with Phylicia, Michael, and Deena Barnes. Prosecutors also revealed that the day Phylicia went missing Johnson acted erratically that day, not going into work and purchasing a plastic tub from a Walmart that they believe he used to move the body. They say his cellphone wasn’t used in the period during which investigators believe Barnes was killed, and prosecutors said his phone was later traced to a spot near Patapsco Valley State Park which is an area searched extensively at one point by police and volunteers. Early on in the investigation police officials reported that they believed Barnes was being move from various locations. TPC also reported tweets by a member of the Phillyfifth crew (Johnson family members and friends who hang out together) who tweeted “well don’t just leave it there, move the damn thing”, a day after the planned search of Patapsco State for Barnes was broadcast on local news stations. Some believe the tweet was regarding the Barnes teens body from that park. Additionally, the fact Johnson’s cellphone was tracked to that area on the same day Phylicia disappeared is telling and very compelling as well. When we consider the fact that it’s the heart of winter, Johnson was reportedly suppose to be moving out of Deena’s apartment that day, and he goes to a state park its highly suspicious. So, in the first day we learn that the prosecution does have enough to prove culpability of Johnson killing Barnes, though circumstantial, together their argument appears extremely compelling. The sex tape depicting nudity with Johnson and Phylicia, him being captured looking at her in lust while fondling Deena, the ensuing 1300 text between him and the teen, witness accounts of him struggling with a container in the hallway, PGS tracking of his cellphone near a state park the day Phylicia went missing, and an eyewitness who claims to have seen Johnson with the teen’s dead body creates a hell of a summation for Johnson’s defense to overcome. We’ll continue to bring updates as they occur. Justice for our angel Phylicia Barnes.
Sources:
The People’s Champion
I’m David Adams
David Adams
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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