A man convicted of manslaughter who ran from and fought off
sheriff’s deputies will face had his misdemeanor charges delayed as
the courts handled his felony charges.
A man convicted of manslaughter who ran from and fought off sheriff’s deputies will face had his misdemeanor charges delayed as the courts handled his felony charges.
Joel Barnes, 39, of Morgan Hill was scheduled for a pretrial conference Friday regarding several misdemeanors – including resisting arrest, contempt of court and violation of a protective order. Yet, little happened in those cases as the defendant awaits his next plea hearing on more serious felonies.
“The case that makes most sense to litigate first is his assault on a police officer,” said Deputy District Attorney Cindy Hendrickson. “That’s the one that carries the most time and is the most serious.”
Barnes’ other felony charges include vandalism, reckless driving, and resisting or deterring a police officer.
Barnes eluded Santa Clara County Sheriff’s deputies a total of three times this summer as they attempted to arrest him on warrants for felony false imprisonment and assault, and ran from Morgan Hill police on one occasion, Hendrickson said.
Last month in San Martin, Barnes provoked deputies into shooting at him while he escaped their capture by driving his truck at them. Two days later, deputies cornered Barnes at a home in Watsonville. Barnes again ran from police but a SWAT team and canine officers found him hiding inside nearby bushes.
Barnes is scheduled to enter a plea on his felonies 1:30 p.m. Oct. 20.
