Murder Defendant Ordered to Have Frequent Drug Testing

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Drug testing compliance was the issue before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan in an Aug. 21 hearing about a murder case.

Terrance Barnes, 35, is charged with first-degree murder while armed. Barnes, who struggles with substance abuse, allegedly fired a gun with premeditated malice, fatally wounding Barry Homles, 57, on April 17, 2019, on the 5100 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

David Knight, Barnes’ defense counsel, said that due to Barnes’ job he has been unable to get off work to perform his required, “random” drug test dates. Barnes previously failed to get a drug test and a new charger for his electric monitor on multiple occasions, as discussed in a July 9 hearing.

Knight said Barnes’ Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) officer told him he did not have to recharge his device. Knight said the court needs to give Barnes credit for getting a new job and working five days a week.

Judge Maribeth Raffinan granted Knight’s request that Barnes be given dates outside of work to test and she ordered Barnes to test one-to–two times a week as well as provide employment verification. Pending the outcome of the new conditions, the judge is withholding disciplinary action due to Barnes’ “substantial compliance” with no new arrests.

Parties are slated to resume Sept. 17.