The Daily News

Bogalusa murder trial: drugs, guns, betrayal, ski mask...

FRANKLINTON - Sobbing profusely, Blake Barnes told the courtroom about the incident that happened two years ago in a Bogalusa apartment.

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Barnes, 26, a Bogalusa plumber and drug dealer, said he and Kyle Harry had come to recollect the pound of marijuana that a few hours earlier had been stolen from Barnes in a deal gone bad.

"The guy said he would go get it and Kyle shot him," said Barnes, between sobs, testifying on behalf of the state in the murder trial of Harry, a former Bogalusa High substitute teacher, under way at the Franklinton Courthouse. Barnes is also a co-defendant in the case, and like Harry, is charged with second-degree murder. His trial has not taken place yet.

Barnes was the star witness in a case stemming from the June 22, 2005, murder of Bogalusan Anthony Brown, who was found dead of gunshot wounds in his apartment on Magee Street.

Harry, the son of well-known former Bogalusa teacher and coach Melton Harry, was arrested seven months after the shooting, and pled not guilty to the crime.

Barnes, Byron Johnson, Damien Dyson were arrested shortly after the crime took place, but police say Barnes changed his story after a few months in prison to say Harry pulled the trigger.

Barnes said he had known Harry for years, meeting while Harry was a substitute teacher and Barnes was a student at Bogalusa High. Barnes said he later began selling drugs that Harry would acquire.

"He started fronting me weed," said Barnes, adding the illicit drug business progressed to larger amounts of marijuana and cocaine.

When June 22, 2005, came around Barnes said he was attempting to sell a pound of Harry's marijuana to Johnson. But when Johnson didn't have enough money, he convinced Barnes to go to Brown's apartment for extra cash. While in the apartment, a man in a ski mask and holding a pistol walked out from a room and said "Where the **** is the weed?" Barnes said in front of the jury and others in Judge Reginald Badeaux's courtroom.

Johnson ran off, dropping the pound of marijuana, while Barnes was hit in the head, falling to the floor.

The attacker in the ski mask demanded Barnes' wallet, which he didn't have, according to Barnes' testimony.

Barnes was let go, and said he believed the deal was a set-up, staged by Johnson and Brown. He later told Harry what happened, and the two went back to the apartment with Harry bringing a "black handgun," Barnes said.

Barnes said Harry told him to kick in the apartment door, which he did. Harry went in, demanded the marijuana, and soon began shooting, he added.

Harry, many of his family members in the court, sat quietly and held a straight face throughout Barnes' testimony.

Police later tracked down Barnes and Johnson through calls placed on Brown's cell phone.

Harry's lawyers said there were holes in Barnes' testimony.

"I didn't kill anybody," Barnes said.

Closing arguments are expected to be given today.