GUILTY GA - Christopher Barrios, 6, murdered, Glynn County, 8 March 2007

[sherri79]

http://www.crimelibrary.com/news/original/0307/2303_barrios.htmlAccording to the indictment, the Edenfields lured Christopher into their mobile home on March 8 as the boy was walking from a neighborhood swing set to his grandmother's house for supper. Inside their trailer, the Edenfields held the little boy captive while George and David, both convicted sex offenders, took turns sodomizing him.
As she watched her husband and son rape the kindergartener, Peggy Edenfield, 57, masturbated, the indictment charges.
Sometime during the attack, both George, 32, and his father, David, 58, performed oral sex on the boy.
The two men then choked Christopher to death.
Afterward, according to a statement Peggy Edenfield gave to the police, George and David used clothing to wipe semen off of themselves.
Then, either Peggy or George used soap and water to try to clean off any fingerprints left on Christopher's neck from the strangulation. They then wrapped the boy's body in plastic trash bags.
The Edenfields then called family friend Donald Dale, 34, who helped them dump Christopher's body near the Glynn County airport.
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more @ link.

 

[sherri79]

http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/classics/christopher_barrios/fc_index.html
this link has many storys on this case but nothing after 4/4/2007

 

[sherri79]

http://www.cbs47.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=8826444b-feda-44d9-8285-8326f8317d7e
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The fourth suspect in the brutal murder of 6-year-old Christopher Barrios Jr. goes before a judge on Monday.

 

[sherri79]

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/032207/geo_8792368.shtml

In addition, all three Edenfields and their friend, Donald C. Dale, 34, are charged with concealing the death and tampering with evidence. The indictment said Dale's involvement occurred after Christopher's death.
None of the attorneys representing the Edenfields responded to telephone messages from the Times-Union.
Dale's attorney, John Wetzler, told the Times-Union that his client was duped by the Edenfields, who then lied to police about his involvement in order to save themselves.
"Donnie was in the worst place at the absolutely worst time and he trusted the wrong people," Wetzler said.
Wetzler characterized Dale as mentally challenged, naive and easily manipulated like a child. He plans to have Dale undergo IQ testing as well as mental health and mental competency evaluations as soon as possible.
"I don't think he understood my questions, much less the questions being asked by the police," Wetzler said.
"I think the only reason they arrested him was he gave inconsistent statements to them ... but that was because he was confused and didn't really understand what they were asking," he said. Dale's passion for playing video games led to his friendship with the Edenfields, which began when they were neighbors in downtown Brunswick. After Christopher disappeared, the Edenfields lured Dale to their home under the pretext of a video game session, Wetzler said.

 

[sherri79]

GLYNN COUNTY, Ga. -- Legal confusion in Glynn County, Ga. kept one of the four suspects in the murder of 6-year-old Christopher Barrios, Jr. from appearing before a judge Monday.

Donald Dale has been indicted for concealing the death of another and tampering with evidence, two of his four charges. He was supposed to be in court Monday for charges of obstruction of justice and giving false statements, but a judge had to pass on his appearance because he has not yet been indicted for them. http://www.cbs47.com/mostpopular/story.aspx?content_id=8826444b-feda-44d9-8285-8326f8317d7e

 

[sherri79]

A Glynn County judge refused Monday to impose a gag order in the case of George Edenfield, who faces the death penalty if convicted of the sexual abuse slaying of Christopher Michael Barrios Jr.

However, Superior Court Judge Stephen Scarlett forbade both prosecutors and Edenfield's attorneys from releasing information or publicly discussing evidence in the case.
"The court finds no reason to impose a gag order in this case except with respect to anticipated trial evidence," Scarlett said in a written order.
Edenfield's attorneys Gerald Word and Todd Wooten previously had argued that a gag order on all attorneys, witnesses, police and court personnel was necessary to "control prejudicial publicity" and ensure his right to a fair trial.
There is a difference, the judge ruled, between general and detailed knowledge about the case.
"While a general public awareness that a crime occurred and certain persons were arrested and charged with it is to be expected, and that is not prejudicial, a fair trial cannot be provided unless the jurors hear the trial evidence for the first time during the trial," Scarlett ruled.
Scarlett also ruled that attorneys for the Times-Union and other news media must be allowed to present legal arguments opposing a motion by Word and Wooten to close pre-trial hearings to the public including the news media. In addition, attorneys for the media may attend the hearing in which Word and Wooten argue to close a limited portion of the proceedings, Scarlett ordered. http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/081407/geo_191177359.shtml

 

[sherri79]

from the link above.

Among the issues decided by the judge were the following:
- Denied a defense request to limit use of the word "murder" in reference to Christopher's death.
- Granted a defense motion to allow Edenfield and his lawyers to view the crime scene subject to whatever security precautions are deemed necessary by Glynn County Sheriff Wayne Bennett.
- Will allow prosecutors to present evidence about how Christopher's death has affected his family and friends as long as it is done according to the protocol established by state law. - Denied defense motions to declare Georgia's death penalty unconstitutional, and denied related motions to forbid its imposition in the case.

 

[CaliKid]

It sounds like the judge in this case is at least reasonable. With all the evidence presented in this case, I don't see how they can reach any other sentence except guilty.

 

[sherri79]

It sounds like the judge in this case is at least reasonable. With all the evidence presented in this case, I don't see how they can reach any other sentence except guilty.

i would think the guilt the judge feels over the fact he let this guy go a few days before this child was killed will help ensure he lets nothing slip by.

 

[CaliKid]

Yikes! I didn't know it was the same judge.

 

[sherri79]

http://www.news4jax.com/news/13891626/detail.html
The judge granted several motions, including allowing the victim's family to wear T-shirts and buttons honoring Christopher in court as long as they are not in view of the jury. Edenfield will be allowed to wear civilian clothes and he will not be shackled. Also, Edenfield will be allowed to view the crime scene.

"What I noted is that the court and the defense counsel is being very careful to eliminate any chance of an appeal later on," said legal expert Ed Birk.

The judge also denied a number of motions, including the one stating the death penalty is unconstitutional, a motion to block victim impact statements and a motion to have the judge removed from the case because he was involved in another case with the defendant.

There was also an effort to impose a gag order to keep lawyers and others from talking about the case. That motion was denied; although the judge said lawyers can't talk about the evidence.

"Well, there are several motions pending to close the preceding from the press and the public. The judge will take evidence on that in November," Birk said.

A hearing on the defense's motion to keep the media out of some portions of evidentiary hearings will begin on Nov. 5.

 

[sherri79]

The Brunswick News

Courtroom security for a man accused of molesting and murdering 6-year-old Christopher Michael Barrios Jr. will be low-key enough that it does not prejudice jurors against him, according to a Glynn County judge.

Glynn County Sheriff Wayne Bennett will be able to provide security at the trial of David Edenfield without resorting to means that might be prejudicial, Superior Court Judge Stephen Scarlett wrote in an order on one of 47 defense motions.

That security would both protect Edenfield and prevent any misconduct by him, Scarlett noted.

Among measures sheriff's deputies will be allowed is to attach electronic devices to Edenfield that will not be visible to jurors.

Edenfield, his wife, Peggy Edenfield, and their son, George Edenfield, are charged in the March 8 abduction, molestation and murder of Christopher. All three face the death penalty. No trial dates have been set.


Scarlett signed his orders on motions by defense lawyers James Yancey Jr. and John Beal IV on Friday and filed them Monday with the Superior Court Clerk.

Along with making sure that courtroom security did not suggest to jurors that David Edenfield is guilty, Yancey and Beal also wanted Scarlett to rule that a larger number of off-duty uniformed police officers could not be in the courtroom.

Scarlett noted that a mass presence of police officers – possibly suggesting guilt – is unlikely to happen, but agreed to consider the defense request if it would. Most of the motions Yancey and Beal filed were procedural, such as individual questioning of prospective jurors and to adjourn at a reasonable time. (Scarlett granted both.)

In one significant move, Scarlett denied a request that he declare Georgia's death penalty unconstitutional.

He deferred ruling on a motion to move the trial out of Glynn County until evidence could be presented to support it.

The hearings on motions that require presentation of evidence will be the week of Oct. 29 for George Edenfield and the week of Nov. 5 for David Edenfield. http://www.thebrunswicknews.com/open_access/news/345881101788343.php

 

[sherri79]

http://www.cbs47.com/content/topstories/story.aspx?content_id=3f873f06-a078-4a80-bfca-905535dade72
The 6-year-old Brunswick boy disappeared on March 8th, and was found murdered a week later a short way away from his neighborhood.

Thursday morning, a ceremony was held to honor a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office police officer who helped Christopher’s family in the time following his death.

Officer Joann Glenn collected money for Christopher’s family to help get a headstone for his grave. At the ceremony, Officer Glenn received the Six Pillars of Character award, which recognizes an individual's selfless act, trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.

 

[sherri79]

BRUNSWICK, Ga. -- One of the three people accused in the slaying of a 6-year-old Brunswick boy made a plea deal Wednesday that could save her from the death penalty http://www.news4jax.com/news/14784202/detail.html

http://www.thebrunswicknews.com/open_access/news/319789810197836.php
Peggy Edenfield can save her own life for her alleged involvement in the death of 6-year-old Christopher Michael Barrios Jr. by testifying against her husband and son.

That is the agreement the District Attorney's Office has made with Peggy Edenfield's attorneys: It will drop its request for the death penalty for her in exchange for her account of what happened March 8, when Christopher was allegedly molested and strangled.

 

[sherri79]

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=98401
BRUNSWICK, GA (AP) -- A Glynn County judge ordered a mental evaluation Wednesday for a man seeking a plea deal after being charged with helping hide the body of a slain 6-year-old Brunswick boy.

Superior Court Judge Stephen Scarlett ordered the evaluation for Donald Dale, whose attorney has been working on a deal with prosecutors to send Dale to a mental institution rather than prison by allowing him to plead guilty but mentally retarded.

Dale, 34, is charged with concealing the death of young Christopher Barrios, whose body was found March 15 wrapped in a trash bag and dumped by a roadside a week after he went missing.

Dale is a friend of George Edenfield, who faces the death penalty on charges he sexually molested Christopher before choking the boy to death. Investigators say Dale told them he helped
Edenfield and his parents hide the boy's body.

Chief Assistant District Attorney John Johnson told the judge Monday he's been working on a plea agreement with Dale's lawyer.

 

[concernedperson]

Honestly, Sherri, they are all sick. This is such a brutal crime that all should be put away for eternity. I don't see special treatment for any of the perps and giving testimony to right a wrong in this case is no where near what needs to happen. Every involvement is exactly what it appears to be...an involvement.

 

[sherri79]

Honestly, Sherri, they are all sick. This is such a brutal crime that all should be put away for eternity. I don't see special treatment for any of the perps and giving testimony to right a wrong in this case is no where near what needs to happen. Every involvement is exactly what it appears to be...an involvement.

i couldnt agree more.

 

[donjulito]

I would love to see this entire family stay in jail without parole for their rest of their lives. However, we don't know how strong a case the prosecutor has. What is the state of their evidence.

If they are willing to take the mother's plead and give her 30 years in jail with no parole, then more than likely they need her testimony in order to convict the two man. (father and son).

I understand that she would be like 88 before she could come out. Being in jail, I don't know that she will make it. Jails are not known for a good place to live your old age, specially in Georgia. I take my chances and bet that she will die before she is released. We may even get lucky and someone may get to her.

[FONT=r_ansi]This been the holiday season and being that Christopher was born on January 2, please do visit his links and light a candle for this little angel. You all would make his family very happy.[/FONT]

[FONT=r_ansi]http://michaelbarrios.memory-of.com/[/FONT]

[FONT=r_ansi]http://christopher-barrios.last-memories.com/[/FONT]

[FONT=r_ansi]http://christopher-barrios.net/[/FONT]

[FONT=r_ansi]May God continue to bless the entire family of Christopher Michael Barrios Jr.[/FONT]

 

[SLY]

I am so glad you are here! WELCOME!

This thread needed you.

Sly

 

[TCBY]

http://www.cbs47.com/content/topstories/story.aspx?content_id=3f873f06-a078-4a80-bfca-905535dade72
The 6-year-old Brunswick boy disappeared on March 8th, and was found murdered a week later a short way away from his neighborhood.

Thursday morning, a ceremony was held to honor a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office police officer who helped Christopher’s family in the time following his death.

Officer Joann Glenn collected money for Christopher’s family to help get a headstone for his grave. At the ceremony, Officer Glenn received the Six Pillars of Character award, which recognizes an individual's selfless act, trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.

I was not able to view anything with this link. I would really like to read the report, as this is the first time I have heard about Ms. Glenn collecting money for the family for his headstone. What a wonderful, selfless act. Is there anyway you can try posting it again?

Thank you.