Overview
- City officials formally outlined charges against James Barnett, 57, including three counts of second-degree depraved-heart murder, three counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of second-degree arson.
- Investigators said the case draws on thousands of ATF tests, light-source analysis, surveillance footage, debris and DNA testing, extensive interviews and newer image-enhancement methods.
- Prosecutors described the evidence as complex and said a key challenge will be translating the scientific findings for jurors.
- A judge ordered Barnett held without bond, citing concern for public safety, and court records as of Tuesday showed no attorney listed for him.
- The charges were announced at the Stricker Street memorial honoring Lts. Paul Butrim and Kelsey Sadler and Firefighter/EMT Kenny Lacayo, who died in the collapse, while Firefighter John McMaster was seriously injured.