OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY

District Attorney Michael Guest, Twentieth Judicial District
Rankin and Madison Counties

www.daguest.com

Media Release
Promises Made. Promises Kept.

For Immediate Release • Wednesday, September 9, 2008

For more information, please contact
Michael Guest at (601) 825-1472 • mguest@daguest.com

Pearl Murderer Found Guilty; Receives Life in Prison
Following a Two-Day Trial

Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Michael Guest announced today that Daniel F. Barber, Jr. of Pearl was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Patrick Spears. The verdict was delivered by a jury following a two-day trial where more than a dozen witnesses were called.

Guest stated, “Barber attempted to use self defense as his reason for murdering the victim. However, the jury determined that Barber was the initial aggressor and that the death of Patrick Spears was murder.”

Guest added, “Barber will be required to spend 40 years in prison before he is eligible for parole. This case highlights the successful prosecution of a dangerous offender by our criminal justice system. The jury, in this case, heard two days of testimony with more than a dozen witnesses being called. At the conclusion of the case, the evidence showed that Barber shot the victim multiple times, ending his life.”

Guest added, “Justice has prevailed in the conviction of Daniel Barber for murder. With Barber behind bars our community will be safer as he serves a life sentence for the death of Patrick Spears.”

On December 20, 2007, the Pearl Police Department was called regarding shots being fired. When they arrived, they saw the victim lying in a pool of blood in the middle of the street. The victim had a faint pulse and officials began life-saving actions. The victim later died at the hospital.

Officers interviewed several witnesses at the scene and were told that the victim was driving his car when Barber, who was walking, gestured for him to stop. The victim stopped his car and a verbal altercation began.

Barber struck Spears, through the open car window, and the victim got out of his car and was shot by Barber. Once Spears fell to the ground, Barber stood over him and continued to fire. Spears was shot twice, once in the chest and once in the face.

Barber fled the scene on foot and ended up in Jackson. The Jackson Police Department was called due to a disturbance. Once they arrived they found Barber. During their pat down they found several rounds of ammunition and a gun.

The Jackson Police Department determined that the gun was stolen and that Barber was wanted by the Pearl Police Department for a murder that had just occurred. The Pearl Police Department secured a warrant, went to Jackson and arrested Barber.

Witnesses identified Barber as the person who killed Spears. They were also able to identify the gun as the one Barber used during the murder. In addition, the Mississippi Crime Lab confirmed the presence of gunshot residue on Barber’s hand and matched the bullets to the gun found on Barber.

Guest concluded, “This conviction shows what can be accomplished when the members of our law enforcement community work together. I commend the Jackson Police Department, the Pearl Police Department, the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, and the Mississippi State Crime Laboratory for the vital role they played in the arrest and prosecution of Daniel Barber.”

District Attorney Michael Guest was sworn into office in January 2008 and represents the Twentieth Judicial District, Madison and Rankin Counties. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, please visit www.daguest.com.

Defendant:
Name:              Daniel F. Barber, Jr.
Address:          123 Winchester Place
                          Brandon, MS
Date of Birth:   March 21, 1987


 

  

 

     
 

 

New Technology Could Stop Pancreatic Cancer View the Press Release here.

Alliance Wants to Spur Investment Dollars View the Sun Herald Article here.

Ablitech Receives Additional Investment View the Press Release here.

Hattiesburg-Based Company Eyeing Ways to Stop Bladder Cancer View the Press Release here.

Rex Baker Executive Director, Gateway Rescue Mission, 48, Brandon View the Clarion Ledger Article here.

Was a white supremacist murdered for propositioning a black man? View the CNN Video here.

Richard Barrett Murder Suspect Could Face Death Penalty. View the story here.

Court of Appeals Judge Donna Barnes Announces Bid for Re-Election. View the Press Release here.

Pointe Innovation Releases Spring 2010 issue. View the cover here.

Mississippi Business Journal: Ablitech relocates to The Garden. View the article here.

The Clarion Ledger - Prospectives: SUNDAY MORNING WITH - Michael Guest, district attorney, Madison and Rankin counties. View the article here.

DA Guest: Jackson Man Found Guilty of Two Counts of Armed Robbery and One Count of House Burglary. District Attorney Michael Guest announced today that a Madison County jury found Avery Neyland guilty of two counts of armed robbery and one count of house burglary for his role in the crimes at the Sunchase Apartment Complex. View the press release here.

SMG Completes DA Guest Video. View the video here.

10th Annual Conference on High Technology video. View the video here.

DA Michael Guest's Think Again Program. View the signs here.

DA Michael Guest: Pearl Murderer Found Guilty; Receives Life in Prison Following a Two-Day Trial. View the press release here.

Cliff Cox Radio Spots. Hear the new Cliff Cox radio spots here.

CNN: Hughes Trial. Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Michael Guest announces the guilty verdict returned to Carla Hughes for the murder of Avis Banks. Click here to find out more.

MTA President Pens Book. MTA President Dr. Randy Goldsmith's new book, The Guardian Angel: Every Entrepreneur Needs One is now available. View the cover here.

Rankin Record: DA Michael Guest is Tough on Crime. Story in the May 21, 2009 issue of Rankin Record. View article clipping here.

DA Guest: Canton Man Sentenced to 15 years for stealing $50 from 67-year-old-victim. Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Michael Guest announced today that Marcus Donell Sims of Canton was sentenced to serve 15 years in the state penitentiary for the robbery of a 67-year-old-man. View press release here.

SamarionSolution Installed in Covington Retirement Community. Samarion Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mark Rodgers announced today that the SamarionSolution has been installed in the Christwood retirement community in Covington, Louisiana. View press release here.

Samarion Announces Partnership with Adesta. Samarion announced today it has entered into an agreement with Nebraska-based Adesta for the nationwide installation of the SamarionSolution in long-term care and acute care facilities. View press release here.

DA Guest: Billy Ray Corkern Pleads Guilty to Murder. Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Michael Guest announced today that Billy Ray Corkern pled guilty to murder in the August 2008 death of Robert Clemons. The defendant was sentenced to life in prison. View press release here.

Randy “Bubba” Pierce. Chancery Court Judge and former State Legislator Randy “Bubba” Pierce of Leakesville announced today that he will be a candidate for the Mississippi Supreme Court; District 2, Place 2 in November. View press release here.

DA Guest: Walter Tard Found Guilty. Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Michael Guest announced today that a Madison County jury found Walter Tard guilty of the armed robbery of the Drury Inn in Ridgeland. View press release here.

Cliff Cox for Sheriff. Cliff Cox, former commander of the Natchez-Adams County Metro Narcotics Unit, announces candidacy for Adams County sheriff. View more info here.

MTA releases Fall 2009 Issue of PIM. View the cover here.

Alzheimer's Foundation of America and Samarion Form Strategic Alliance. Alliance to enhance care for individuals with dementia. View more info here.

DA Guest: Jimmy Lee Fisher, Jr. Receives Maximum Sentence. Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Michael Guest announced today that Jimmy Lee Fisher, Jr. of Madison received the maximum 15-year sentence for robbery through a plea agreement. View press release here.

Keeping Children Safe on the Internet. Spring 2009 column for Pointe Innovation magazine by Heath Hall. Read the column here.

My Web 2.0 Journey. Summer 2009 column for Pointe Innovation magazine by Heath Hall. Read the column here.

My Ten-Year Journey through Innovation. Fall 2009 column for Pointe Innovation magazine by Heath Hall. Read the column here.

The First SamarionSolution Installed in Lake Charles Alzheimer’s Facility. Samarion CEO Mark Rodgers announced that The Guardian House Alzheimer Care Facility in Lake Charles, La., has adopted the SamarionSolution. View press release here.

Preventing falls in nursing homes. Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths and non-fatal injuries. Now, a cutting edge fall prevention system is helping nursing home residents maintain optimal health. View more info here.