By Donna Swicegood
During hte months after the deaths of Don and Sue Barker, many people tossed in loose bills, coins and checks to contribute to a reward fund aimed at helping find their killer.
With the announcement this week of an arrest and the likelihood that reward money would not be paid, those who organized the reward effort are looking for a way to use the money and pay tribute to the Barkers at the same time.
Money to be used for a reward was also offered in the case of James and Delet Powell, who were shot to death eight months before the Barkers.
The deaths of both couples were linked to a single weapon.
Barbara Ann Evans, 65, of 138 Jennings Road, was arrested Tuesday evening on four counts of first-degree murder.
Some $10,000 of the $15,000 offered in the Powells' case came from the Governor's Reward fund. That money will go back to the state, Sheriff Phil Redmond said.
In the case of the Barkers, more than $42,000 had been raised through donations to a jar at the store Don Barker ran on Turnersburg Highway and from gifts from individuals.
Robert Taylor, who has operated Barker's Grocery since Don Barker's death in September, said he and the Barkers' relatives are looking at donating the money to a charity.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Sheriff: Murder weapon found
By Donna Swicegood
Iredell County Sheriff Phil Redmond said Friday that the weapon used to kill two couples last year was found in the home of the woman arrested earlier this week.
Barbara Ann Evans, 65, of 138 Jennings Road, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and is being held in the Iredell County Detention Center without bond.
She is charged with the September 2005 deaths of Don and Sue Barker and the January 2005 deaths of James and Delet Powell.
Redmond said Friday the weapon was found during a search of Evans' home on Monday. That search warrant remains sealed by the court, he said.
The case against Evans is expected to be presented to an Iredell County grand jury on Aug. 7 during a session of Iredell County Superior Court.
If the grand jury returns a true bill of indictment, Evans will be bound over for trial in Superior Court.
Winston-Salem attorney S. Mark Rabil has been appointed to represent Evans through the Office of Indigent Defense Services.
Rabil gained fame for representing Darryl Hunt, who served 18 years for the murder of Harmony native Deborah Brotherton Sykes in Winston-Salem before being freed after DNA linked the crime to another man.
Rabil represented Hunt for 20 years through three trials, appeals and other procedures.
The attorney said Friday that he has met with Evans, and she maintains that she is innocent of the charges.
"She's 65 years old with no history of violence. Her family and friends are shocked. It doesn't make any sense," he said.
He called the case one of the most unusual ones he's defended in his law practice, which dates back to 1980.
"I don't think I've ever had a murder case with a defendant of that age and a woman with absolutely no criminal record," he said. "It's very unusual."
He said Evans was shocked by the charges. "She's very distraught. She's anxious to get out of there (jail)," he said.
Rabil said he hasn't seen what evidence the state used to get the murder warrant. He said his client has a copy of the court order that seals a search warrant of her home.
A judge ordered that warrant to remain sealed until Dec. 8, he said.
Rabil said he hasn't made any decisions about how he plans to defend Evans or the possibility of moving the trial out of Iredell County due to pre-trial publicity.
"That's a decision we'll make closer to the trial," he said.
Garry Frank, the district attorney for Iredell County, said earlier this week that he expects Evans could receive a fair trial in Iredell County.
"I know of no reason why not," he said. "But it's something we'll have to deal with as the case develops."
Frank also said he hasn't made a decision yet about seeking the death penalty, although he said the case qualifies for capital punishment.
Rabil said he anticipates that the trial won't take place for at least a year, possibly two.
Iredell County Sheriff Phil Redmond said Friday that the weapon used to kill two couples last year was found in the home of the woman arrested earlier this week.
Barbara Ann Evans, 65, of 138 Jennings Road, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and is being held in the Iredell County Detention Center without bond.
She is charged with the September 2005 deaths of Don and Sue Barker and the January 2005 deaths of James and Delet Powell.
Redmond said Friday the weapon was found during a search of Evans' home on Monday. That search warrant remains sealed by the court, he said.
The case against Evans is expected to be presented to an Iredell County grand jury on Aug. 7 during a session of Iredell County Superior Court.
If the grand jury returns a true bill of indictment, Evans will be bound over for trial in Superior Court.
Winston-Salem attorney S. Mark Rabil has been appointed to represent Evans through the Office of Indigent Defense Services.
Rabil gained fame for representing Darryl Hunt, who served 18 years for the murder of Harmony native Deborah Brotherton Sykes in Winston-Salem before being freed after DNA linked the crime to another man.
Rabil represented Hunt for 20 years through three trials, appeals and other procedures.
The attorney said Friday that he has met with Evans, and she maintains that she is innocent of the charges.
"She's 65 years old with no history of violence. Her family and friends are shocked. It doesn't make any sense," he said.
He called the case one of the most unusual ones he's defended in his law practice, which dates back to 1980.
"I don't think I've ever had a murder case with a defendant of that age and a woman with absolutely no criminal record," he said. "It's very unusual."
He said Evans was shocked by the charges. "She's very distraught. She's anxious to get out of there (jail)," he said.
Rabil said he hasn't seen what evidence the state used to get the murder warrant. He said his client has a copy of the court order that seals a search warrant of her home.
A judge ordered that warrant to remain sealed until Dec. 8, he said.
Rabil said he hasn't made any decisions about how he plans to defend Evans or the possibility of moving the trial out of Iredell County due to pre-trial publicity.
"That's a decision we'll make closer to the trial," he said.
Garry Frank, the district attorney for Iredell County, said earlier this week that he expects Evans could receive a fair trial in Iredell County.
"I know of no reason why not," he said. "But it's something we'll have to deal with as the case develops."
Frank also said he hasn't made a decision yet about seeking the death penalty, although he said the case qualifies for capital punishment.
Rabil said he anticipates that the trial won't take place for at least a year, possibly two.
Friday, July 28, 2006
DA: Death penalty may be pursued
Clad in a black-and-white striped prison uniform, the woman accused of two double slayings made her first appearance in court Wednesday afternoon.
For the full story, click here.
For the full story, click here.
Who is Barbara Ann Evans?
Months after Don and Sue Barker had been killed in their Whites Farm home, Barbara Ann Evans would show up at the grocery that still carries their name. She would buy cigarettes, gasoline and a newspaper, according to a man who works at the store.
For the full story, click here.
For the full story, click here.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Report: Evans transferred land
By Jonathan Austin
Long after detectives first focused on Barbara Ann Evans in the Powell-Barker case, county records show she gained sole ownership of her home and property on Jennings Road and then deeded it to a daughter.
Evans has been a focus in the investigation since nearly the beginning, Iredell Sheriff Phil Redmond said Tuesday, and in the months leading up to her arrest, at least one person who knew her said she felt detectives were harrassing her.
She transferred ownership of the real estate to Ronda Baker Jones, records show.
The property, several lots located between Jennings Road and Ebenezer School, had belonged to Willie Sharpe Evans when he married Barbara Ann Baker in 2000.
On Feb. 4, 2002, records show he signed a warranty deed giving her joint ownership, and the next day they both signed a "gift deed" assigning the property to his daughter, who agreed to provide "all necessary care for her father" if he survived his spouse.
Later that year he died.
The deed specified that "Barbara Baker Evans shall be allowed to reside in the subject property" for the remainder of her life.
Late last year, Evans gained sole ownership of the property when her late husband's daughter and her husband signed the property over to her.
No excise tax was paid for the transfer.
Then, in early March, Evans deeded the property to her daughter Ronda, who was listed as living in Nebo.
No excise tax was paid on that transaction.
Tax records showed Wednesday that property taxes of $310.89 were not paid on the property in 2004, and the same amount is due for the year 2005.
With penalties and interest, the tax due now totals $831.60.
On Wednesday, an official with the Iredell County Tax Office said he was preparing a bill to send the new owner for the past due taxes.
Long after detectives first focused on Barbara Ann Evans in the Powell-Barker case, county records show she gained sole ownership of her home and property on Jennings Road and then deeded it to a daughter.
Evans has been a focus in the investigation since nearly the beginning, Iredell Sheriff Phil Redmond said Tuesday, and in the months leading up to her arrest, at least one person who knew her said she felt detectives were harrassing her.
She transferred ownership of the real estate to Ronda Baker Jones, records show.
The property, several lots located between Jennings Road and Ebenezer School, had belonged to Willie Sharpe Evans when he married Barbara Ann Baker in 2000.
On Feb. 4, 2002, records show he signed a warranty deed giving her joint ownership, and the next day they both signed a "gift deed" assigning the property to his daughter, who agreed to provide "all necessary care for her father" if he survived his spouse.
Later that year he died.
The deed specified that "Barbara Baker Evans shall be allowed to reside in the subject property" for the remainder of her life.
Late last year, Evans gained sole ownership of the property when her late husband's daughter and her husband signed the property over to her.
No excise tax was paid for the transfer.
Then, in early March, Evans deeded the property to her daughter Ronda, who was listed as living in Nebo.
No excise tax was paid on that transaction.
Tax records showed Wednesday that property taxes of $310.89 were not paid on the property in 2004, and the same amount is due for the year 2005.
With penalties and interest, the tax due now totals $831.60.
On Wednesday, an official with the Iredell County Tax Office said he was preparing a bill to send the new owner for the past due taxes.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Evans charged with four counts of murder
By Donna Swicegood
After more than 700 interviews and hundreds of hours of investigation, Iredlel County Sheriff Phil Redmond announced Tuesday that an arrest had been made in the two double homicide cases from 2005.
Barbara Ann Evans, 65, of 138 Jennings Road, has been charged with four counts of murer.
The charges stem from the Jan. 21, 2005, shooting deaths of James and Delet Powell and the Sept. 16, 2005, deaths of Don and Sue Barker.
Both couples were killed in their homes - the Powells in Union Grove and the Barkers on White's Farm Road.
Reponda Smith, the daughter and only child of the Powells, has been waiting more than a year for this news.
"It really came out of nowhere," she said. "Here I was picking up my kids' toys and I get a call from the sheriff's office."
"I feel safer. I'm not afraid that somebody will come in and kill me and my kids."
Smith said she's also happy to see an arrest because she and her husband, Kenny, dealth with rumors that they were involved. The Barkers' son, Allen, also faced similar rumors.
"That really hurt," said Smith, who lived next door to her parents at the time of their deaths but has since moved away. "We felt betrayed."
Smith and Lowell Harmon, who is married to Sue Barker's sister, Shirley, said Evans was known to their slain relatives.
"Her husband was a good friend of my dad's, and I'm sure she's been at their house," Harmon said.
Harmon said Evans was one of the many customers who stopped into Barker's Grocery, the store owned by Don Barker, on U.S. Highway 21.
"She stopped up at the store al lthe time, and Don cashed her checks for her," he said.
Redmond said he couldn't elaborate on exactly what led to Evans' arrest, but did say forensic evidence played a major role. The state crime lab determined that the same gun was used in all the slayings.
"Forensices have been a big tool in this case," the sheriff said, adding that Evans had been a focus of the investigation since nearly the beginning.
Harmon said his family was told that Evans had been under surveillance for some time and was the only person detectives could place at both scenes.
Redmond said this has been one of the most intensive investigations in the history of the sheriff's office. Detective Sgts. Andy Poteat, Bill Hamby and Kim Isenhower, along with several other detectives and uniformed personnel, logged many hours on the case, said Capt. Jimmy Craven, head of the investigations division.
"They took time away from their families to work this case. We didn't take it lightly," he said. "I'm proud of the effort put into solving these cases."
After more than 700 interviews and hundreds of hours of investigation, Iredlel County Sheriff Phil Redmond announced Tuesday that an arrest had been made in the two double homicide cases from 2005.
Barbara Ann Evans, 65, of 138 Jennings Road, has been charged with four counts of murer.
The charges stem from the Jan. 21, 2005, shooting deaths of James and Delet Powell and the Sept. 16, 2005, deaths of Don and Sue Barker.
Both couples were killed in their homes - the Powells in Union Grove and the Barkers on White's Farm Road.
Reponda Smith, the daughter and only child of the Powells, has been waiting more than a year for this news.
"It really came out of nowhere," she said. "Here I was picking up my kids' toys and I get a call from the sheriff's office."
"I feel safer. I'm not afraid that somebody will come in and kill me and my kids."
Smith said she's also happy to see an arrest because she and her husband, Kenny, dealth with rumors that they were involved. The Barkers' son, Allen, also faced similar rumors.
"That really hurt," said Smith, who lived next door to her parents at the time of their deaths but has since moved away. "We felt betrayed."
Smith and Lowell Harmon, who is married to Sue Barker's sister, Shirley, said Evans was known to their slain relatives.
"Her husband was a good friend of my dad's, and I'm sure she's been at their house," Harmon said.
Harmon said Evans was one of the many customers who stopped into Barker's Grocery, the store owned by Don Barker, on U.S. Highway 21.
"She stopped up at the store al lthe time, and Don cashed her checks for her," he said.
Redmond said he couldn't elaborate on exactly what led to Evans' arrest, but did say forensic evidence played a major role. The state crime lab determined that the same gun was used in all the slayings.
"Forensices have been a big tool in this case," the sheriff said, adding that Evans had been a focus of the investigation since nearly the beginning.
Harmon said his family was told that Evans had been under surveillance for some time and was the only person detectives could place at both scenes.
Redmond said this has been one of the most intensive investigations in the history of the sheriff's office. Detective Sgts. Andy Poteat, Bill Hamby and Kim Isenhower, along with several other detectives and uniformed personnel, logged many hours on the case, said Capt. Jimmy Craven, head of the investigations division.
"They took time away from their families to work this case. We didn't take it lightly," he said. "I'm proud of the effort put into solving these cases."
Communities celebrate arrest
By Jonathan Austin and Chyna Broadnax
When Union Grove neighbors heard Tuesday that an arrest had been made in connection with the gunshot slayings of two well-known couples, reactions were either subdued relief or explosing exultation.
"I just wanted to live long enough to know who was responsible for this tragedy and why," said Allen Styers, who lived next door to James and Delet Powell and thinks he heard a car drive away on the January night they were shot to death.
"In my heart, I have always felt like I heard the vehicle leave the house, and I reported that to the sheriff's office," he said.
Styers was stunned when he heard the news on Tuesday, rushing to read a news statement that had been released by the sheriff's office.
He said he also knew Dona nd Sue Barker, who were gunned down in the kitchen of their White's Farm Road home last September.
'A big relief'
Bill Hayes works at Barker's Grocery and considered the Barkers to be good friends.
He said the sheriff's office told him about the arrest on Tuesday afternoon.
"I lost my two best friends, and it's a big relief," he said.
hayes - who said he has long suspected that the killer was someone close to the family - said Evans came in the store just a few days ago.
"We always thought it was somebody" they knew, he said. "Otherwise they wouldn't have let them in the house."
Relatives confirmed Tuesday that they victimes knew the suspect.
Barker had owned the convenience store for 42 years. Friends say he was beloved throughout the community.
"It's something you think of every day," Hayes said. "Why would somebody kill a man who would give the shirt off his back?"
'Been on edge'
Harold and Marie Smith of Union Grove wre stunned with the news of the arrest, which they heard while eating dinner at the Sunshine Diner on N.C. 901, just a short distance from the Powells' home.
"We've all been on edge," Harold said.
His wife, who said she was a first cousin to Delet Powell, shook her head in agreement. "I'm relieved," she finally said.
The slayings, which rocked rural Iredell County like few crimes before, forced long-time residents to question how the killer of ofur retirement-aged people could live in their midst.
"We lock the doors now," Harold Smith said. "We didn't used to lock the doors."
What so many people said they couldn't understand is the fact that a 65-year-old woman had been arrested.
"She a little old to be gun-slinging," Harold Smith said.
At Barker's Grocery, Hayes felt the same: "It's hard to believe a woman could do this by herself."
'Blows her mind'
Don Barker's nephew, Frank Moore, said the Barkers had been cautious after he had been robbed and shot before. But "taking extra precaution apparently wasn't good enough," Moore said.
Robert Taylor said he worked with Don Barker for 30 years and said the day he heard of hte murders is one he will always play back in his mind.
"It was the longest day I had ever lived," he said. "It's been real tough."
Employees at Barker's Grocery now carry handguns for protection, and Taylor said he had been skeptical about the killings since Day 1.
"I suspected about 100 people, but I didn't want to get my hopes up. You wouldn't have thought (Evans) could do this," he said.
"It just blows my mind, and if she did do this I hope she rots in hell."
'It brings tears'
Mike Keller, who operates Union Grove Milling Co. with his mother, said James Powell "was just as good a friend as you could want. He would do anything for you."
Keller was also pleased that an arrest had been made.
"The community will be a whole lot relieved - if that's the right person," he said. "If it's the right one, she needs to get what she deserves."
Steve Wooten said he grew up near the Powells. After their deaths, he took in their dog, Kipper.
He said Delet Powell "was like a second mother to our son," often walking over the baby-sit.
"We knew James all his life," Wooten said.
And now?
"It brings tears."
When Union Grove neighbors heard Tuesday that an arrest had been made in connection with the gunshot slayings of two well-known couples, reactions were either subdued relief or explosing exultation.
"I just wanted to live long enough to know who was responsible for this tragedy and why," said Allen Styers, who lived next door to James and Delet Powell and thinks he heard a car drive away on the January night they were shot to death.
"In my heart, I have always felt like I heard the vehicle leave the house, and I reported that to the sheriff's office," he said.
Styers was stunned when he heard the news on Tuesday, rushing to read a news statement that had been released by the sheriff's office.
He said he also knew Dona nd Sue Barker, who were gunned down in the kitchen of their White's Farm Road home last September.
'A big relief'
Bill Hayes works at Barker's Grocery and considered the Barkers to be good friends.
He said the sheriff's office told him about the arrest on Tuesday afternoon.
"I lost my two best friends, and it's a big relief," he said.
hayes - who said he has long suspected that the killer was someone close to the family - said Evans came in the store just a few days ago.
"We always thought it was somebody" they knew, he said. "Otherwise they wouldn't have let them in the house."
Relatives confirmed Tuesday that they victimes knew the suspect.
Barker had owned the convenience store for 42 years. Friends say he was beloved throughout the community.
"It's something you think of every day," Hayes said. "Why would somebody kill a man who would give the shirt off his back?"
'Been on edge'
Harold and Marie Smith of Union Grove wre stunned with the news of the arrest, which they heard while eating dinner at the Sunshine Diner on N.C. 901, just a short distance from the Powells' home.
"We've all been on edge," Harold said.
His wife, who said she was a first cousin to Delet Powell, shook her head in agreement. "I'm relieved," she finally said.
The slayings, which rocked rural Iredell County like few crimes before, forced long-time residents to question how the killer of ofur retirement-aged people could live in their midst.
"We lock the doors now," Harold Smith said. "We didn't used to lock the doors."
What so many people said they couldn't understand is the fact that a 65-year-old woman had been arrested.
"She a little old to be gun-slinging," Harold Smith said.
At Barker's Grocery, Hayes felt the same: "It's hard to believe a woman could do this by herself."
'Blows her mind'
Don Barker's nephew, Frank Moore, said the Barkers had been cautious after he had been robbed and shot before. But "taking extra precaution apparently wasn't good enough," Moore said.
Robert Taylor said he worked with Don Barker for 30 years and said the day he heard of hte murders is one he will always play back in his mind.
"It was the longest day I had ever lived," he said. "It's been real tough."
Employees at Barker's Grocery now carry handguns for protection, and Taylor said he had been skeptical about the killings since Day 1.
"I suspected about 100 people, but I didn't want to get my hopes up. You wouldn't have thought (Evans) could do this," he said.
"It just blows my mind, and if she did do this I hope she rots in hell."
'It brings tears'
Mike Keller, who operates Union Grove Milling Co. with his mother, said James Powell "was just as good a friend as you could want. He would do anything for you."
Keller was also pleased that an arrest had been made.
"The community will be a whole lot relieved - if that's the right person," he said. "If it's the right one, she needs to get what she deserves."
Steve Wooten said he grew up near the Powells. After their deaths, he took in their dog, Kipper.
He said Delet Powell "was like a second mother to our son," often walking over the baby-sit.
"We knew James all his life," Wooten said.
And now?
"It brings tears."
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