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Highlands Today

Suspect: Wife Suffered From Dementia

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By BRAD DICKERSON

Highlands Today

Published: October 24, 2008

  James Barnes

SEBRING - James Barnes' stated motive for killing his wife, Virginia Barnes, was because he did not want her to live with her "current state of dementia."

The suspect, 64, was arrested Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder in the death of Virginia Barnes, 62, whose body was found Oct. 13 in a Lorida citrus grove, with a gunshot wound to the head.

Barnes told deputies with the Highlands County Sheriff's Office that he intentionally drove his wife to the scene and killed her, according to the arrest report. He also allegedly stated that her dependence on him was a "burden to his lifestyle."

"The defendant gave numerous and accurate details of the murder that would only be known by law enforcement or the perpetrator of this murder," the report stated.

In the early days of the investigation, deputies had sought information from the public as to the victim's identity.

On Tuesday, additional information was obtained from a member of James Barnes' family that assisted investigators with the case.

A positive identification of Virginia Barnes was made by comparing her fingerprints taken after her body was found to fingerprints obtained from the Division of California Justice Information Services Command Center, the report stated.

Both James and Virginia Barnes are originally from Burbank, Calif, but were residing in a home in Sebring.

James Barnes had his initial court appearance Thursday in Highlands County. His case will next move to the grand jury.

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

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