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Internet Search History Damaging For Johnson Defense: Phylicia Barnes Accused Killer’s Suspicious Web Searches May Convict Him

Prosecutors in the Michael Johnson murder trial have spent the last week painting a picture to a jury of what they believe actually happened to 16-year-old Phylicia Barnes who ended up floating nude in the Susquehanna River in Northern Maryland over the 2010 Christmas Holiday, after the honors teen had gone missing from her half-siblings Northwest Baltimore apartment on December 28, 2010. The state played Johnson’s initial statements to police before the jury, which revealed his explanation of his movements on the day young Phylicia went missing. A cellphone data analysis also testified that Johnson’s cell data was consistent with what he had told police. Johnson traveled between the homes of relatives in Southwest Baltimore and Patapsco State Park on December 28, 2010.

A volume of searches were conducted in the state park on tips which primarily derived from the public. Baltimore City Police Chief at the time of Barnes’ disappearance told the media that he believed the teen’s body was being moved around as investigators were closing in. After a volume of searches which included various law enforcement agencies, Barnes was subsequently found nearly four months later floating nude near the Conowingo Damn in Northern Maryland. The state presented some of the same evidence that was revealed during the first trial, including testimony of a witness who stated that he observed Michael Johnson shirtless, sweating profusely, and while struggling to carry a large plastic tote from the basement apartment where he was living with Phylicia’s sister Deena Barnes.

Investigators have continuously theorized that Johnson raped the pretty teen, strangled her, and transported her lifeless body out of Deena’s Northwest Baltimore apartment. Police also testified that Phylicia’s cellphone was turned off at approximately 1:03 p.m. on December 28, 2010, while Johnson’s cellphone, which had been on and off sporadically that day, came back on at 1:04 p.m. Johnson who text Deena Barnes that day said the teen “was up and active,” but indicating he last saw her around 1:30 p.m. TPC has reported that Johnson was in fact with his younger brother Glenton “Boots” Johnson around the same time on December 28, 2010 when “Boots” strangely text:

12-28 1:23 pm Glenton twitter~~> –**** dat don’t tella twice whopp her ass (Translated: “Fuck that don’t tell her twice whoop her ass.”)

Which was just minutes before Michael says he last saw the teen.

Just like the first trial, the state has failed to produce evidence directly linking Johnson to a crime scene or the Susquehanna River where Phylicia was found. In fact, prosecutors admitted before the jury that they can’t prove Johnson transported the teen’s body to Northern Maryland, but highlight the fact that the large plastic tote they believe Phylicia’s body was transported in, is missing and has never been found. The state’s case up until today (12/18/2014) has been very much the same of a rather “vanilla” circumstantial case, but new evidence produced before the jury in court today may have changed all of that. Fellow journalist and Baltimore Sun Crime Beat reporter Justin Fenton tweeted that some of the new evidence coming forth today was apparently not allowed in court during the first trial under judge Nance. Fenton notes that a volume of objections came from the defense as the state utilized the opportunity to reveal newly introduced evidence before the jury to paint an extremely compelling case that Johnson was in fact responsible for the teen’s demise.

Internet history on Michael Johnson’ cellphone showed Web searches for forensic procedures and for books on high-profile killings such as the Casey Anthony and JonBenet Ramsey cases, a Baltimore police detective told jurors today. Jurors also were shown stills from a video that investigators say they found on Michael Johnson’s cellphone. The images allegedly showed Johnson having sex and giving money to a woman police described as a prostitute. The evidence introduced by prosecutors today was not introduced in Johnson’s first trial last year, underscoring the different approach prosecutors are now taking. Prosecutors gambled during the first trial and presented James McCray as a star witness, who testified that Johnson solicited his help in discarding of the teens dead body. McCray’s testimony was the only tangible evidence the state presented during that trial, which would have established Deena Barnes’ apartment as a crime scene, and placed Johnson there with Phylicia’s body. McCray lied on the stand during that trial and when prosecutors became aware of information which impeached McCray’s testimony, they failed to turn the information over to his attorneys, and judge Nance threw out Johnson’s conviction and granted him a new trial.

The Internet searches introduced today, which police said were found on Johnson’s cellphone after his arrest in April 2012, appear to have occurred well after the killing. Police say they show visits to news articles and Twitter updates about the case, a “Pray for Phylicia” Facebook page and a “Websleuths” message board, on which participants try to solve cases. The history also showed a Web page for “forensic testing turnaround time,” as well as “hair and DNA evidence,” the state told jurors. Prosecutors also said the sex video shows Johnson in October 2010 setting up the camera and a woman entering his bedroom and picking up cash. Over objections from Johnson’s attorneys, the state told jurors the woman appears to be a prostitute. The state said police also found a video that shows Johnson, his younger brother, and Deena and Phylicia Barnes engaged in “naked touching,” and said the video had been titled “Bigdaddygohard.”

The state’s case has turned sharply from the first trial with evidence, though circumstantial, appearing to be extremely compelling that may lead to swaying a twelve panel jury into being convinced that Michael Johnson was responsible for the untimely demise of young Phylicia Barnes. Additionally, for the first time the state revealed the source of it’s discovering the nude video tape which depicted Johnson, his younger brother, Deena Barnes, and Phylicia streaking nude. Deena testified during the first trial that they were all engaged in a game they called “joinking.” Prosecutors told jurors today that the video was in fact found on Johnson’s cellphone. That detail may go a long way to help cement the state’ contention that Johnson had become infatuated with the teen, which resulted in him allegedly raping, strangling, and discarding of her body.

Any criminal defense lawyer can do a good job of explaining away why their client conducted internet searches regarding high profile murder cases, and the mere rationalization that their client simply likes to read crime related books may be sufficient to explain away such sought after reading, but web searches for “forensics turnaround time periods” and searches regarding “hair and DNA evidence” may be more problematic for a defense lawyer to explain away when their client just happens to be the primary subject of a capitol murder case. These very compelling, and disturbing details coupled with evidence of a seemingly “inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old teen, who prosecutors say that Johnson text 1,300 times in a six month period just may be more than convincing enough to a jury that Johnson’s purported desire for the pretty teen led him to kill her.

The cloud of suspicion hovering over Michael Maurice Johnson has just been reinforced with the introduction of evidence which had been excluded in the first trial. The traditional elements of forensics, DNA, and other factors typically utilized to link criminals to heinous crimes such as this one, might not be necessary to convict a killer in this case. Johnson’s suspicious internet searches related to crime scene investigating and other scientific web searches just may be all that’s required to nail his coffin shut related to the murder of young Phylicia Barnes.

To Be Continued ..

Sources:
Baltimore Sun Crime Beat
@justin_fenton

The People’s Champion
I’m David Adams

David Adams

A Self proclaimed geek, Sympathizer for the homeless, Social Change Advocate, Crime Blogger, Promoter of Awareness for Missing and Exploited Children, and a mobile technology enthusiast. A recognized Journalist and Human Interest Writer championing the plight of the masses whom are without a voice of their own.

More Posts - Website

Follow Me:
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Prosecutors in the Michael Johnson murder trial have spent the last week painting a picture to a jury of what they believe actually happened to 16-year-old Phylicia Barnes who ended up floating nude in the Susquehanna River in Northern Maryland over the 2010 Christmas Holiday, after the honors teen had gone missing from her half-siblings Northwest Baltimore apartment on December 28, 2010. The state played Johnson’s initial statements to police before the jury, which revealed his explanation of his movements on the day young Phylicia went missing. A cellphone data analysis also testified that Johnson’s cell data was consistent with what he had told police. Johnson traveled between the homes of relatives in Southwest Baltimore and Patapsco State Park on December 28, 2010.

A volume of searches were conducted in the state park on tips which primarily derived from the public. Baltimore City Police Chief at the time of Barnes’ disappearance told the media that he believed the teen’s body was being moved around as investigators were closing in. After a volume of searches which included various law enforcement agencies, Barnes was subsequently found nearly four months later floating nude near the Conowingo Damn in Northern Maryland. The state presented some of the same evidence that was revealed during the first trial, including testimony of a witness who stated that he observed Michael Johnson shirtless, sweating profusely, and while struggling to carry a large plastic tote from the basement apartment where he was living with Phylicia’s sister Deena Barnes.

Investigators have continuously theorized that Johnson raped the pretty teen, strangled her, and transported her lifeless body out of Deena’s Northwest Baltimore apartment. Police also testified that Phylicia’s cellphone was turned off at approximately 1:03 p.m. on December 28, 2010, while Johnson’s cellphone, which had been on and off sporadically that day, came back on at 1:04 p.m. Johnson who text Deena Barnes that day said the teen “was up and active,” but indicating he last saw her around 1:30 p.m. TPC has reported that Johnson was in fact with his younger brother Glenton “Boots” Johnson around the same time on December 28, 2010 when “Boots” strangely text:

12-28 1:23 pm Glenton twitter~~> –**** dat don’t tella twice whopp her ass (Translated: “Fuck that don’t tell her twice whoop her ass.”)

Which was just minutes before Michael says he last saw the teen.

Just like the first trial, the state has failed to produce evidence directly linking Johnson to a crime scene or the Susquehanna River where Phylicia was found. In fact, prosecutors admitted before the jury that they can’t prove Johnson transported the teen’s body to Northern Maryland, but highlight the fact that the large plastic tote they believe Phylicia’s body was transported in, is missing and has never been found. The state’s case up until today (12/18/2014) has been very much the same of a rather “vanilla” circumstantial case, but new evidence produced before the jury in court today may have changed all of that. Fellow journalist and Baltimore Sun Crime Beat reporter Justin Fenton tweeted that some of the new evidence coming forth today was apparently not allowed in court during the first trial under judge Nance. Fenton notes that a volume of objections came from the defense as the state utilized the opportunity to reveal newly introduced evidence before the jury to paint an extremely compelling case that Johnson was in fact responsible for the teen’s demise.

Internet history on Michael Johnson’ cellphone showed Web searches for forensic procedures and for books on high-profile killings such as the Casey Anthony and JonBenet Ramsey cases, a Baltimore police detective told jurors today. Jurors also were shown stills from a video that investigators say they found on Michael Johnson’s cellphone. The images allegedly showed Johnson having sex and giving money to a woman police described as a prostitute. The evidence introduced by prosecutors today was not introduced in Johnson’s first trial last year, underscoring the different approach prosecutors are now taking. Prosecutors gambled during the first trial and presented James McCray as a star witness, who testified that Johnson solicited his help in discarding of the teens dead body. McCray’s testimony was the only tangible evidence the state presented during that trial, which would have established Deena Barnes’ apartment as a crime scene, and placed Johnson there with Phylicia’s body. McCray lied on the stand during that trial and when prosecutors became aware of information which impeached McCray’s testimony, they failed to turn the information over to his attorneys, and judge Nance threw out Johnson’s conviction and granted him a new trial.

The Internet searches introduced today, which police said were found on Johnson’s cellphone after his arrest in April 2012, appear to have occurred well after the killing. Police say they show visits to news articles and Twitter updates about the case, a “Pray for Phylicia” Facebook page and a “Websleuths” message board, on which participants try to solve cases. The history also showed a Web page for “forensic testing turnaround time,” as well as “hair and DNA evidence,” the state told jurors. Prosecutors also said the sex video shows Johnson in October 2010 setting up the camera and a woman entering his bedroom and picking up cash. Over objections from Johnson’s attorneys, the state told jurors the woman appears to be a prostitute. The state said police also found a video that shows Johnson, his younger brother, and Deena and Phylicia Barnes engaged in “naked touching,” and said the video had been titled “Bigdaddygohard.”

The state’s case has turned sharply from the first trial with evidence, though circumstantial, appearing to be extremely compelling that may lead to swaying a twelve panel jury into being convinced that Michael Johnson was responsible for the untimely demise of young Phylicia Barnes. Additionally, for the first time the state revealed the source of it’s discovering the nude video tape which depicted Johnson, his younger brother, Deena Barnes, and Phylicia streaking nude. Deena testified during the first trial that they were all engaged in a game they called “joinking.” Prosecutors told jurors today that the video was in fact found on Johnson’s cellphone. That detail may go a long way to help cement the state’ contention that Johnson had become infatuated with the teen, which resulted in him allegedly raping, strangling, and discarding of her body.

Any criminal defense lawyer can do a good job of explaining away why their client conducted internet searches regarding high profile murder cases, and the mere rationalization that their client simply likes to read crime related books may be sufficient to explain away such sought after reading, but web searches for “forensics turnaround time periods” and searches regarding “hair and DNA evidence” may be more problematic for a defense lawyer to explain away when their client just happens to be the primary subject of a capitol murder case. These very compelling, and disturbing details coupled with evidence of a seemingly “inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old teen, who prosecutors say that Johnson text 1,300 times in a six month period just may be more than convincing enough to a jury that Johnson’s purported desire for the pretty teen led him to kill her.

The cloud of suspicion hovering over Michael Maurice Johnson has just been reinforced with the introduction of evidence which had been excluded in the first trial. The traditional elements of forensics, DNA, and other factors typically utilized to link criminals to heinous crimes such as this one, might not be necessary to convict a killer in this case. Johnson’s suspicious internet searches related to crime scene investigating and other scientific web searches just may be all that’s required to nail his coffin shut related to the murder of young Phylicia Barnes.

To Be Continued ..

Sources:
Baltimore Sun Crime Beat
@justin_fenton

The People’s Champion
I’m David Adams

David Adams

A Self proclaimed geek, Sympathizer for the homeless, Social Change Advocate, Crime Blogger, Promoter of Awareness for Missing and Exploited Children, and a mobile technology enthusiast. A recognized Journalist and Human Interest Writer championing the plight of the masses whom are without a voice of their own.

More Posts - Website

Follow Me:
TwitterFacebookLinkedInGoogle Plus

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Blu

Is he still in jail and will he remain there? He should remain there. Others should be in jail as well. Why haven’t the justice system went after the older sister who was on the ungodly video. Fix the justice system

Blu

This is a sad to when it comes to family is everything. Never in my life have I ever heard of a big sister allowing her baby sister to be touched by nasty males or anyone for that matter. Never have I seen any big sister in the black community allow her baby sister to partake in an ungodly nude sex related video with the big sister in the video as well.

Idk what the hell problems the big sister has but god sees and hears all things. I pray god fixes what the justice system refused to fix.

Had the 1/2 a$$ big sister would have been on top of her job doing what big sisters are suppose to do, PSB would still be here today. Thank god that god has mercy and tells ppl to show mercy and forgiveness because this is one case I prayed for the big sister to go to jail.
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She gave her word to PSB mother, turned around and broke her word. Something still stinks. The big sisters left PSB at the apt alone AFTER she told at least one of them that she was uncomfortable around MJ and those males. Why did the big sister chose or decide to leave a teen girl alone? Her very own baby sister.

It’s hard to forgive that because PSB is gone and can never come back in the flesh. PSB has a mother, step father and other sisters who really love her. This is so not right.

May god fix this

Zaynab Lugo

I want to create a blogspot of my own and want to earn some money from that. Is possible?.

William Helgert

very interesting info ! .

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