DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park released a homicide defendant to home confinement on May 21 after finding that the Department of Corrections (DOC) could not provide adequate care for his medical needs.
Desmond Barr, 25, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than one year for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Ambria Farmer on July 13, 2024 on the 3300 block of Fort Dupont Drive, SE. Farmer sustained three gunshot wounds to her chest, face, and back.
All charges face an aggravating factor of allegedly being committed while Barr was on release for a prior offense.
During the hearing, Barr’s physician discussed a release plan and provided updates on his condition. According to the physician, Barr arrived at the hospital with an acute kidney issue, a urinary tract infection requiring medication, and a severe, penetrating pressure sore, all of which had resolved since his hospitalization. The physician said that Barr’s rehabilitation required special treatment and equipment, and that his condition before the hospital showed he had not been well cared for at the DC Jail.
The prosecution argued that Barr should remain in custody, contending the required care could be provided in the jail. They claimed that Barr, despite using a wheelchair, was clearly mobile, pointing to allegations that he reportedly attended a pool party after the homicide which showed a lack of concern. Barr was also accused of violence inside the courthouse, noted the prosecutor.
The prosecution further argued that significant DNA evidence allegedly tied Barr to the shooting and that he was not compliant with his previous release conditions, given that he allegedly committed Farmer’s murder while on release in another matter.
Barr’s attorney, Dominique Winters, contended that Barr was violation free while on house arrest for an unrelated case, which supported his release in this case.
Winters argued that Barr was receiving a standard of care at a rehabilitation facility that could not be duplicated in a correctional setting. Even though the DOC was present at previous hearings, they still failed to provide adequate care, said Winters.
When asked by Judge Park, the DOC health care provider stated that the jail did not have the proper facilities to manage Barr’s treatment.
Winters said that Barr was a victim of stalking and abuse, contending that Farmer reportedly ignored court orders intended to keep them apart. She argued that Barr made every attempt possible to avoid contact with Farmer, including blocking her on social media, and that the only reason the two came into contact was that Farmer allegedly deceived him about her identity in order to reach him.
Judge Park found that the evidence in the case was strong and weighed in favor of holding Barr, but noted it was undisputed that Barr had experienced medical emergencies while at the jail and required treatment that the DOC could not provide.
As a result, Judge Park ordered Barr released to 24-hour home confinement with conditions including GPS monitoring, no firearms, no vehicle, and stay-away orders. The judge made an exception to confinement for verified medical appointments but not for legal matters, which were to be conducted at the residence or over Zoom.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Sept. 11.
