Cinder Block Murderer Plans to File for Retrial

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Convicted cinder block murder defendant Dayrel McFarland said he intends to file a retrial motion in a hearing before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge LaZette Ringgold-Kirksey on April 3. The move came after defense attorney Joseph Owens read McFarland his post-trial rights, informing him he has 10 days to file a motion to re-enter the trial phase and have his charges reconsidered.

On March 31, a jury found McFarland, 37, guilty of first-degree murder and possession of a deadly weapon with intent to injure.

According to a previous report by Baltimore Witness, on Oct. 2 2023, officers responded to a call for a possible suspicious death at the 500 block N. Payson Street. Upon arrival, they located the body of Jamal Barney, 57, stuffed under a mattress. They also located a back room containing blood and two cinder blocks that McFarland allegedly used to beat Barney to death. McFarland was arrested a day later.

He is set to return to court June 16 for a disposition hearing before Judge Ringgold-Kirksey.