Woman Accused of Kidnapping and Setting Victim on Fire Appears for Her First Day of Trial

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On April 20, opening statements were delivered before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge John A. Howard on the first day of trial for a Glen Burnie woman charged with the 2018 kidnap and murder of 29-year-old Tiffany Jones.

During opening statements, the assistant state’s attorney reviewed the circumstances surrounding this case.

According to the prosecutor, on Aug. 21, 2018, Jones stopped at the Family Dollar on the 3600 block of Potee Street to purchase an umbrella when a black male allegedly forced her at knifepoint to enter the back of a black Chevy pickup truck. Jones was accompanied by her boyfriend and 7-year-old daughter, who witnessed and reported the incident to the Baltimore City Police Department (BPD).

The prosecutor indicated that the alleged motive behind the kidnapping was a belief that Jones had stolen money, an iPhone, and narcotics from defendant Bobie Barncord.

Upon being questioned by authorities, Jones’ boyfriend identified “Philly”, later revealed as Willard Turner-Williams, as the black male and the defendant as the driver. Jones’ boyfriend gave a description of the vehicle and license plate, which led officers to learn that the black Chevy pickup truck was registered to the defendant’s father.

On Aug. 22, 2018, officers responded to reports of a house fire on the 3400 block of 7th Street where Jones was found stripped of her clothing with a plastic bag and curtain tied around her head with her hands and feet bound.

“The medical examiner will tell you there are many causes of death,” said the prosecutor.

According to the medical examiner’s report, Jones had endured blunt force trauma to the head, thermal burns, and asphyxiation.

Upon arrest, the prosecutor reminded the jury that on Aug. 22, 2018, Barncord confessed to her involvement in the kidnapping and setting Jones on fire after waiving her Miranda Rights –which are the constitutional protections for a person accused of a crime.

According to Maryland Judiciary website, Barncord, 33, is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, first-degree arson, conspiracy to commit arson, false imprisonment, and conspiracy to falsely imprison. Barncord is represented by public defenders Janine Meckler and Marguerite Lanaux.

Launaux argued that the “entire incident” was between “Philly and Tiffany” after insisting that “Bobie and Tiffany were friends.”

Lanaux claimed, “there are things you do not mess with when dealing with a drug dealer.”

“You do not mess with their product, protection, or money.”

Lanaux alleged that Turner was Barncord’s drug dealer, as Barncord was “28 years old and living the life of an addict.” Lanaux went on to claim that Jones, Barncord, and Williams were “living the same fast life,” as Barncord “supported herself on the streets” and engaged in “getting high.”

“Bobie is not the person she was; we are not here to judge her past.”

This trial is scheduled to continue on April 21.