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Highlands Today

Grand Jury Indicts Barnes For First-Degree Murder

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By BRAD DICKERSON

Highlands Today

Published: November 7, 2008

SEBRING A grand jury has indicted James Higley Barnes Jr., 64, of Burbank, Calif., on the charge of first-degree murder in connection with the death of his wife.

The indictment was handed down late Thursday afternoon, according to Assistant State Attorney Steve Houchin. Barnes is set for arraignment Nov. 26 at 9 a.m.

On Oct. 13, deputies with the Highlands County Sheriff's Office were called to a citrus grove near Buckhorn Road in Lorida, where the body of Virginia Navarro Barnes, 62, also of Burbank, was found with multiple gunshot wounds.

Investigators asked for the public's help initially in helping to identify the victim. A composite photo of what she may have looked like while alive ran in the Oct. 16 edition of Highlands Today.

Then, on Oct. 21, deputies received additional information in the case and a surveillance team was sent to James Barnes' home at 6100 Sherman Terrace in Sebring, as he was considered a suspect. Lt. Tim Lethbridge said at the time it was a tip from a member of Barnes' family that helped in the investigation.

Following conversations with extended family members, Barnes called the sheriff's office at 2 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 22, saying he wanted to speak with someone about the murder victim found in the grove.

Barnes reportedly admitted to killing his wife and he wanted to turn himself in. He said he drove her to the scene and killed her, because he did not want her to live in her "current state of dementia," according to the arrest report.

The suspect also allegedly said the victim's dependence on him was a "burden to his lifestyle," the report stated.

One family member believes Barnes' actions were a form of assisted suicide.

In an e-mail sent to a Highlands Today reporter Oct. 23, Shannon Rios, who identified herself as the step daughter of James Barnes, said Virginia Barnes was suffering from Alzheimer's, a "really bad case."

Rios added the two were loving and giving.

"Because they were so much in love, close friends and family believe he was ending her misery and that this had to be assisted suicide," she said. "James solely cared for his wife and we never once heard one complaint or request for help."

Rios said in her e-mail that Virginia was diagnosed more than seven years ago and made her husband promise her the "end result" before placing her in a nursing home.

"When a family member begged him to take her to a nursing home, he refused and answered he promised her," Rios said. "He didn't want to leave her side."

She believes James would have ended his life before turning himself in had his children not pleaded with him not to.

"This couple was inseparable," Rios said. "They truly loved each other."

Brad Dickerson can be reached at (863) 386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com

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