New Trial Ordered in Phylicia Barnes Slaying
Wednesday, Mar 20, 2013 | Updated 2:54 PM EDT
Phylicia Barnes
Baltimore State's Attorney Gregg Bernstein said his office plans to retry Michael Johnson for the death of a North Carolina honor student who was missing for months before her body was found in a river.
A judge ordered a new trial Wednesday for Johnson, who was convicted last month in the death of 16-year-old Phylicia Barnes. Johnson's lawyers said prosecutors improperly tried to bolster the credibility of a witness who testified that Johnson asked him for help disposing of Barnes' body.
Bernstein said he looks forward to a new trial in which his office will be able to present evidence and testimony they believe will establish Johnson's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Johnson faced up to 30 years in prison.
Barnes disappeared while visiting relatives in Baltimore in December 2010.
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