Warrant: Who is James Barnes? (Part II)
The State of Florida intends to execute James Barnes on August 3, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. Last week, Barnes waived all postconviction proceedings ahead of the execution. So, who is James Barnes?
On June 22, Gov. DeSantis signed a warrant scheduling the execution of James Barnes for August 3 at 6:00 p.m.—the fifth execution in the State this year. Last week, Barnes waived all postconviction proceedings ahead of the execution.
So, who is James Barnes?
This two-part series summarizes Barnes’s life, as documented in publicly available documents. Part I can be found here.
DOC Health Records
Barnes has been in and out of prison since age 17. He began serving a life sentence in 1998 and was then put on death row in 2007 after confessing to the Miller murder.
DOC records indicate Barnes had been diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder and reported chronic drug use outside of prison, beginning at the age of 15.
DOC records also that Bryant had tuberculosis and James tested positive for it in 1993, which resulted in a calcified lesion on his left lung. The records also show that he had yellow fever as a child.
While in prison, DOC records indicate a history of mental health struggles, including grief related to his crimes. A report from a mental health visit in January 1998 states:
In February 1998, Barnes was seen for an urgent mental health follow-up after having an “emotional crisis.”
DOC records also indicate that Barnes has sustained a few injuries while in prison and has regularly refused to come out of his cell for doctor’s appointments or other medical care.
As of 2004, DOC records show that James was seen by psychology due to a report that he had requested “through another inmate to obtain a document So that in the event of death he could be buried as a Muslim.” He reported doing well and family visiting him.
I have not been able to locate more recent records.
Barnes Family Members
Records show that the other Barnes family members also struggled with drug use and mental health issues.
Bryant used drugs and was Baker Acted in 1988. At some point, Ann and Bryant were divorced. Bryant remarried. He worked at the St. John’s County Sheriff’s Office.
When James was facing charges for the Miller murder, James suggested to investigators that Bryant promised to visit him in prison if he confessed to the crimes and waived mitigation:
Of course, we know that James did, in fact, confess and waive mitigation. Here’s how Bryant responded when asked about this deal:
Bryant told investigators that he wanted James to get the death penalty, which he felt was appropriate. His only complaint was how long it takes. Records show that Bryant had a stroke at some point and died in 2018. In a recent news article, Beth talked about the comments their dad used to make about James’s execution.
Ann told investigators in 1988 that she had not had contact with James since 1983 (when he was 21). She said he is a con-artist and a sociopath. She said that she was scared of James and believed he was capable of murder, stating that he had previously threatened to kill her.
Beth also told investigators she believed James was capable of killing someone. According to a recent news article, Beth has not had contact with James since 1997. She also said she hopes that the execution with bring closure to Jeannice, who “has had a very hard time coping.”
Michael died by suicide in the 90s at the age of 28.
Here is a report of what Jeannice told investigators in 2006/2007 about her own struggles with addiction and mental health:
Roberta told investigators that, “for purely selfish reasons,” she did not want James to get the death penalty because “it would just be more trauma for her to endure.”
Prior TFDP Coverage on Barnes’s Case
Gov. DeSantis signing the warrant and the Florida Supreme Court’s Scheduling Order is covered here.
The background of Barnes’s case can be found here.
Analysis of the Scheduling Order in Barnes’s case is here.
James Barnes waiving his right to raise postconviction claims ahead of his execution is covered here.
My thoughts are with everyone involved in the warrant and execution process.