Thank you for reading Baltimore Witness.
Consider making a donation to help us continue our mission.
By
Abraham Leo
, --- staff --- - March 3, 2025
Court
|
Daily Stories
|
Homicides
|
Suspects
|
Victims
|
Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland rescheduled homicide defendant Dayrel McFarland’s trial for March 24 after an unexpected change in his defense counsel and scheduling conflicts with one of the prosecution’s critical witnesses.
Both the defense and prosecution agreed to the postponement.
McFarland is charged with first-degree murder and possession of a deadly weapon with intent to injure in connection to an Oct. 2, 2023 incident that resulted in the death of his roommate, 37-year-old Jamal Barney.
Witnesses testified that McFarland allegedly killed Barney with multiple blunt force trauma strikes to his head with a cinder block. McFarland then reportedly hid Barney’s body in a mattress in their second-floor bedroom. McFarland was arrested in the 500 block of North Payson Street for an outstanding warrant.
McFarland’s trial, which was initially scheduled for March 3, is set to last six days before Judge LaZette Ringgold-Kirksey.