Mocobizscene– In one of the guilty pleas accepted on Monday, a man accused in a 2018 shootout on Easter that resulted in the death of one man and the injury of another in Gentilly pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
Gerald Barnes, a 34-year-old man, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. He was convicted of second-degree murder in the tragic death of Alfred Johnson, a 23-year-old who was shot in a Rite Aid parking lot located in the 3100 block of Gentilly Boulevard on April 1, 2018. In addition to the murder charge, Barnes also pleaded guilty to aggravated battery, as confirmed by court records.
Christopher Patterson, who was also accused in Johnson’s shooting death, passed away in May at the age of 52 due to cancer while still awaiting trial, according to his attorney.
During the shootout, it was reported that Johnson also discharged his firearm. Tragically, Patterson’s 24-year-old nephew was caught in the crossfire and sustained injuries. Johnson was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Barnes and Patterson were arrested based on a warrant issued by the police. The police alleged that the duo specifically targeted Johnson, who was in a relationship with Patterson’s daughter, due to accusations of physical abuse against the young woman.
According to the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office spokesperson, Keith Lampkin, a thorough examination of the evidence revealed that Johnson fired a minimum of 17 bullets at Barnes’ vehicle. Lampkin stated that investigators were unable to ascertain who initiated the gunfire or who was the primary instigator.
The Orleans Public Defenders, the legal representation for Barnes, could not be contacted on Monday regarding the case.
Guilty plea in stabbing death
In a separate incident, a woman confessed to manslaughter on Monday. She admitted to fatally stabbing a man during a domestic dispute that occurred last year on St. Charles Ave.
Lampkin stated that Collins had exhibited “noticeable signs of injuries… inflicted by the deceased before the fatal stabbing.”
During the hearing on Monday, prosecutors stated that they had “no position” on Collins’ sentence. Consequently, Judge Benedict Willard of the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court sentenced her to 30 months in prison.
Collins faced charges of second-degree murder and domestic abuse battery. She had been in custody since her arrest in January, with bail set at $501,000.
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