Barber appeals verdict gets new lawyer

Justin Mertis Barber, an unassuming 39 year-old man, weighing only 150 lbs. and standing 5’09”, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole by a St. Johns County jury on September 15, 2006 for the first degree murder of his wife April Barber.

The late Maureen Christine prosecuted Barber and told the jurors that Barber was driven to get his hands on a hefty life insurance policy and the ability to continue his extra-marital affairs.

The jury believed that Barber’s version of that night’s events was a fabrication. They did not buy his explanation that both he and his wife were victims of an attacker on August 17, 2002 at the beach of Guana River State Park.

Barber told deputies that he left his injured, bleeding wife and drove away from the scene to find help for her. He has always denied his involvement in her death and has stated publicly that the verdict was wrong.

Five years later he has filed an appeal in Circuit Court claiming that he had “ineffective counsel”. Barber claims that there is “new evidence” in his favor and it needs to be considered.

The case has been reopened and will be heard by a different judge. Barber will be represented by a new attorney.