A Baltimore judge granted a defense motion to toss three counts of second-degree murder against the man charged in the 2022 Stricker Street fire. James Barnett, 58, is on trial for the fire that killed three Baltimore City firefighters and seriously injured a fourth.
The state and defense rested their cases late Tuesday afternoon, and the defense renewed a motion for judgment of acquittal on all counts. An hour later, the judge granted it, in part, saying the state failed to provide evidence to meet the burden required for conviction on second-degree depraved heart murder in the deaths of Baltimore City Fire Lt. Paul Butrim, Lt. Kelsey Sadler and Firefighter Kenny Lacayo. The judge said that the state did provide sufficient evidence for the jury to potentially reach a finding of guilt on the remaining second-degree arson, involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment counts. The judge told the members of the jury that they’ve heard all the evidence and sent them home. Closing arguments are set to take place Wednesday morning.
