Crime

Barnes Sentencing Pushed to May 19 as Defense Attempts Long-Shot Bid to Have Court Overturn Guilty Verdict

The sentencing date for Stephanie Barnes, who on Dec. 23 was convicted for committing multiple federal crimes, has been pushed to May 19 after she was granted a motion providing her with an extra forty-five days through federal Rule 29 as she attempts a long-shot bid to have the court overturn the guilty verdict. By invoking Rule 29, which allows a defendant to present information showing that a verdict was reached without sufficient evidence, Ms. Barnes, through her attorney Martial Webster, is seeking acquittal of the verdict reached by a jury that saw Ms. Barnes being found guilty of conspiracy to commit theft from programs and receiving federal funds in violation of U.S. law, receipt of stolen government monies, and filing a false tax return in violation of Virgin Islands law. Courts rarely overturn the verdict of a jury. "This motion is made in good faith and not for purposes of delay," Atty. Martial Webster, who is representing Ms. Barnes, wrote as part of the motion filed on J...