Baltimore man found guilty in Charlotte-area teen's murder
A Baltimore jury on Wednesday found a man guilty of second-degree murder in the trial of a man accused of killing a Charlotte-area teenager.
Posted — UpdatedMichael Maurice Johnson, 29, was accused in the 2010 slaying of Phylicia Barnes, 16, of Monroe, who was visiting family members in Baltimore for Christmas when she disappeared.
Her body was found in the Susquehanna River months after she went missing.
Prosecutors said Johnson killed Barnes in her sister's apartment and then used a 35-gallon tub to move the body. They called more than 30 witnesses during the trial, including Barnes' older sister and a man who says Johnson called him for help in getting rid of her body.
Defense lawyers called one witness. Johnson did not testify.
Defense lawyers told the jury in closing arguments that prosecutors failed to show a motive and that there was no DNA evidence linking their client to the crime.
• Credits
Copyright 2024 by WRAL.com and the Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
