Michael Barnes Fund
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Imagine finding out that someone implicated you in a crime when a police officer arrived at your workplace to learn that you are fired for it. That’s just happened to us in November 2013. Michael "Mike" Barnes was accused of being an accomplice in stealing copper wire from his employer. The other employee pleaded guilty to the theft, and in turn, was offered a deal to implicate others.
Imagine being accused of a crime you didn’t commit. The whirlwind that followed felt much like the twilight zone. In October 2014, Mike learned he was being charged with a Class B felony for the alleged theft and he appeared in court to plead not guilty. After $8,000 in bail and attorney fees, the case was discharged on appeal because of failure to follow legal procedure and the violation of Mike’s rights in the grand jury proceedings. The judge noted the lack of evidence to substantiate the testimony of the accuser in his ruling.
The District Attorney took the case back to the grand jury on February 13, 2015 where the court re-indicted him without any new evidence. Mike’s attorney is confident in his innocence because of the lack of evidence presented by the state and he will be acquitted at trial. The retainer fee for our attorney is another $10,000. We have been struggling to pay for all this but we know that without competent representation Mike could face punishment for a crime he didn’t commit.
Financially, this has devastated our family but the emotional toll has been overwhelming and stressful. So, here we are facing serious criminal charges for a crime Mike didn’t commit and having to spend another $10,000 to defend his good name. Asking for help is the hardest thing we’ve ever had to do especially in a situation such as this. But, here we are in a nightmare not of our making asking others to help us fight this battle. We are not only asking for monetary support but for prayers of an acquittal. No gift is too small to help us reach our needed goal. We appreciate your consideration.
Imagine being accused of a crime you didn’t commit. The whirlwind that followed felt much like the twilight zone. In October 2014, Mike learned he was being charged with a Class B felony for the alleged theft and he appeared in court to plead not guilty. After $8,000 in bail and attorney fees, the case was discharged on appeal because of failure to follow legal procedure and the violation of Mike’s rights in the grand jury proceedings. The judge noted the lack of evidence to substantiate the testimony of the accuser in his ruling.
The District Attorney took the case back to the grand jury on February 13, 2015 where the court re-indicted him without any new evidence. Mike’s attorney is confident in his innocence because of the lack of evidence presented by the state and he will be acquitted at trial. The retainer fee for our attorney is another $10,000. We have been struggling to pay for all this but we know that without competent representation Mike could face punishment for a crime he didn’t commit.
Financially, this has devastated our family but the emotional toll has been overwhelming and stressful. So, here we are facing serious criminal charges for a crime Mike didn’t commit and having to spend another $10,000 to defend his good name. Asking for help is the hardest thing we’ve ever had to do especially in a situation such as this. But, here we are in a nightmare not of our making asking others to help us fight this battle. We are not only asking for monetary support but for prayers of an acquittal. No gift is too small to help us reach our needed goal. We appreciate your consideration.
Organizer
Jacqie Barnes
Organizer
Anchorage, AK
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