This moves the case through the court system much quicker.
Frederick, Md (KM) A Frederick man was indicted on Friday for the murder of his father. The Grand Jury charged Garrett Ward Barker, 18, with 1st-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and a crime of violence.
On Monday, July 11th at 4:00 AM, Frederick County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the 8,000 block of Runnymeade Drive in Frederick after Garrett Barker said his father, Kevin Barker, 37, had shot himself. Authorities say they found Kevin Barker in the basement of his home with a gunshot wound to the head.
Detectives initially ruled the death a suicide, but family members approached them about suspicious behavior on the part of Garrett Barker. They also say a lot of what Garrett Barker said wasn’t adding up.
Authorities say they determined Kevin Garrett’s death was a homicide, and filed charges against his son, Garrett Barker.
State’s Attorney Charlie Smith says this indictment means a trial date must be set within 180 days. “Now that Mr. Barker has been indicted for this 1st-degree murder, it moves the case a little bit more quickly through system. He’ll come up for a pre-trial conference. He’ll enter a plea of guilty or not-guilty through council, or privately,” he says.