Overview
- A judge declared a mistrial Tuesday after jurors remained deadlocked and could not reach unanimous verdicts on nine counts including arson, involuntary manslaughter, and reckless endangerment.
- The court had earlier dismissed three second‑degree murder charges for depraved‑heart murder, narrowing the legal theories jurors could consider during the multiweek trial.
- Prosecutors relied on CitiWatch surveillance that they say shows a person entering the Stricker Street rowhome and producing four flashes of flame, plus clothing recovered for ATF laboratory testing that they say ties James Barnett to the scene.
- The defense contested the identification and the forensic evidence, pointing to a coat‑color discrepancy between Barnett’s coat and the video and arguing the ATF testing and other links were insufficient to prove guilt.
- With the mistrial, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates has said his office will evaluate next steps, and the decision to retry the remaining counts will hinge on evidentiary hurdles, community expectations, and the prosecution’s ability to shore up disputed identification and forensic issues.