James Antonio Barnes
Tennessee Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Memphis, Tennessee
TIME PERIOD
August 1988 - November 1988
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
In the summer and fall of 1988, James Antonio Barnes, an American serial killer, attacked five prostitutes in Memphis, Tennessee, resulting in three fatalities and two injuries. The crimes occurred between August 15 and November 10, 1988, with Barnes targeting victims primarily in the Fourth and Vance Avenue areas, where he would pick them up in his gray Hyundai and subsequently shoot them with a .32 caliber automatic pistol. Barnes was apprehended on November 10, 1988, and was convicted of three counts of second-degree murder, receiving a 40-year prison sentence. Although he was suspected in a total of seven killings, only the confirmed murders led to his conviction, and he has since been released from prison. Key evidence included ballistic analysis linking the firearm used in the murders to Barnes, as well as witness testimonies identifying him as the perpetrator.
James Antonio Barnes is believed to have committed his murders under the influence of dissociative identities, claiming that his other personalities directed him to kill. Some speculate that his violent behavior may have stemmed from a traumatic childhood marked by severe abuse and mental illness. Additionally, there are theories suggesting he could be linked to more unsolved murders beyond the three for which he was convicted, potentially indicating a wider pattern of violence.
The Twisted Tale of James Antonio Barnes
In the shadow of Memphis, Tennessee, during the late summer and fall of 1988, a series of brutal attacks would etch the name James Antonio Barnes into the annals of American crime. Born on April 27, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan, Barnes would grow into a figure of terror, claiming the lives of three individuals and wounding two others, all of whom were involved in the precarious life of prostitution. This is the unsettling story of a man whose mind was as fractured as the lives he shattered.
Early Life
James Antonio Barnes' early years were marred by darkness and abuse. Growing up in Detroit, he was subjected to the cruelty of alcoholic parents. His mother, in a desperate attempt to miscarry, ingested drugs, while another punishment saw young Barnes lowered into a well in a sack. These traumatic experiences indelibly marked his psyche. Throughout his life, he battled mental illness, grappling with depression, hallucinations, and substance abuse, leading to frequent stays in mental institutions across Michigan, Tennessee, and Missouri. His criminal record began with petty offenses, culminating in a bank robbery conviction in Detroit.
Following his release from prison, Barnes found temporary stability working at a General Motors plant. However, a downturn in sales led to his layoff, leaving him adrift without family ties. Seeking a fresh start, he moved to Memphis, Tennessee, settling in the Knightwoods neighborhood of Parkway Village.
The Murders
Between August and November 1988, Barnes embarked on a chilling spree, targeting at least five prostitutes—three women and two male transvestites. His method was depravedly consistent: he would select his victims from the bustling streets of Fourth and Vance Avenue, lure them into his gray Hyundai, and drive them to isolated locations. There, he would unleash a hail of bullets from a .32 caliber automatic pistol.
The terror began on August 15, with the murder of 25-year-old Sharon Denise Moore, whose lifeless body was discovered on Weakley Street. Initially, suspicion fell on 39-year-old Larry Eugene Ward, who was embroiled in a separate violent altercation with law enforcement. Ward's proximity to Moore's body led to his arrest and charge with second-degree murder.
On October 5, Barnes struck again, claiming the life of 28-year-old Loria Ann Deberry on the corner of Carolina and Hernando. His violent spree continued on October 25, when he shot 23-year-old Tony Lee Thompson at 421 South Parkway West. Thompson, however, survived his injuries. By October 31, 37-year-old Joyce M. Thomas fell victim to Barnes, her body riddled with bullets in a field north of 295 West Peebles. The final confirmed attack occurred on November 5, with 30-year-old Eric Lewis, who, like Thompson, survived despite his serious injuries.
Arrest and the Confessions
In the wake of Joyce M. Thomas's murder, the Memphis Police Department formed a task force dedicated to unraveling the mystery behind these heinous acts. A pivotal moment came when a witness managed to note the license plate of the car involved in Lewis's attack. The vehicle was traced back to a gray Hyundai registered to Barnes, matching the description reported in earlier incidents.
Surveillance was set up, and on November 10, authorities moved to arrest Barnes. A brief car chase ensued, during which Barnes discarded a pistol, later confirmed through ballistic tests to be the weapon used in all five attacks. With this evidence, Barnes was detained in the Shelby County Jail.
Survivors Thompson and Lewis identified Barnes as their attacker, and under interrogation, Barnes confessed to the murders, including that of Sharon Denise Moore. This admission led to the exoneration of Larry Eugene Ward, who was released from suspicion. Investigations expanded to consider Barnes's potential involvement in other unsolved murders in Memphis and Detroit, though no additional charges were brought against him.
The Mental Health Debate
Barnes's motivations were as bizarre as his crimes. He spoke of an overwhelming "feeling" that drove him to kill those he deemed "vermin of the Earth." His behavior in custody and court was erratic—head bobbing, sudden outbursts, and tantrums—leading to speculation about his mental state. Some believed Barnes suffered from multiple personality disorder, a contentious diagnosis at the time, especially given the recent prosecution of Sedley Alley using similar defenses.
Despite these claims, prosecutors argued Barnes was feigning mental illness, citing his boasts of deceiving psychiatric evaluations. They pushed for the death penalty. However, initial psychiatric evaluations found Barnes competent to stand trial. His defense hired Dr. George B. Greaves, an expert in multiple personality disorder, who identified 12 distinct personalities within Barnes.
Dr. Greaves noted Barnes's cooperative demeanor, marred by episodes of delusional happiness, including a bizarre belief that a flying saucer would rescue him. Greaves dismissed the notion of Barnes faking his condition, emphasizing the complexity of his symptoms. Despite these findings, Barnes remained in mental health facilities until 1996, when it was determined that, though mentally ill, he comprehended the nature of his crimes.
Trial, Imprisonment, and Current Status
In September 1997, as his trial approached, Barnes unexpectedly pled guilty to all charges, a move that spared him the death penalty. In a plea agreement, the charges were reduced to second-degree murder, resulting in a 40-year imprisonment sentence with eligibility for parole after 16 years. Barnes was held at the Lois M. DeBerry Special Needs Facility in Nashville, where he continued to receive treatment.
According to the Tennessee Department of Correction, Barnes was released from prison on April 10, 2016, closing a grim chapter in Tennessee's criminal history, yet leaving behind unanswered questions about the depths of his mind and the full extent of his crimes.
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First Murder Confirmed
Sharon Denise Moore, 25, is found shot to death.
Second Murder
Loria Ann Deberry, 28, is picked up and shot.
Survivor Attack
Tony Lee Thompson is shot but survives the attack.
Third Murder Confirmed
Joyce M. Thomas, 37, is found shot in a field.
Final Attack
Eric Lewis is shot but survives the attack.
Arrest of Barnes
James Antonio Barnes is arrested after a car chase.
Guilty Plea
Barnes pleads guilty to three counts of second-degree murder.
Sentencing
Barnes is sentenced to 40 years imprisonment.
Release from Prison
James Antonio Barnes is released after serving time.
In the summer and fall of 1988, James Antonio Barnes, an American serial killer, attacked five prostitutes in Memphis, Tennessee, resulting in three fatalities and two injuries. The crimes occurred between August 15 and November 10, 1988, with Barnes targeting victims primarily in the Fourth and Vance Avenue areas, where he would pick them up in his gray Hyundai and subsequently shoot them with a .32 caliber automatic pistol. Barnes was apprehended on November 10, 1988, and was convicted of three counts of second-degree murder, receiving a 40-year prison sentence. Although he was suspected in a total of seven killings, only the confirmed murders led to his conviction, and he has since been released from prison. Key evidence included ballistic analysis linking the firearm used in the murders to Barnes, as well as witness testimonies identifying him as the perpetrator.
James Antonio Barnes is believed to have committed his murders under the influence of dissociative identities, claiming that his other personalities directed him to kill. Some speculate that his violent behavior may have stemmed from a traumatic childhood marked by severe abuse and mental illness. Additionally, there are theories suggesting he could be linked to more unsolved murders beyond the three for which he was convicted, potentially indicating a wider pattern of violence.
The Twisted Tale of James Antonio Barnes
In the shadow of Memphis, Tennessee, during the late summer and fall of 1988, a series of brutal attacks would etch the name James Antonio Barnes into the annals of American crime. Born on April 27, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan, Barnes would grow into a figure of terror, claiming the lives of three individuals and wounding two others, all of whom were involved in the precarious life of prostitution. This is the unsettling story of a man whose mind was as fractured as the lives he shattered.
Early Life
James Antonio Barnes' early years were marred by darkness and abuse. Growing up in Detroit, he was subjected to the cruelty of alcoholic parents. His mother, in a desperate attempt to miscarry, ingested drugs, while another punishment saw young Barnes lowered into a well in a sack. These traumatic experiences indelibly marked his psyche. Throughout his life, he battled mental illness, grappling with depression, hallucinations, and substance abuse, leading to frequent stays in mental institutions across Michigan, Tennessee, and Missouri. His criminal record began with petty offenses, culminating in a bank robbery conviction in Detroit.
Following his release from prison, Barnes found temporary stability working at a General Motors plant. However, a downturn in sales led to his layoff, leaving him adrift without family ties. Seeking a fresh start, he moved to Memphis, Tennessee, settling in the Knightwoods neighborhood of Parkway Village.
The Murders
Between August and November 1988, Barnes embarked on a chilling spree, targeting at least five prostitutes—three women and two male transvestites. His method was depravedly consistent: he would select his victims from the bustling streets of Fourth and Vance Avenue, lure them into his gray Hyundai, and drive them to isolated locations. There, he would unleash a hail of bullets from a .32 caliber automatic pistol.
The terror began on August 15, with the murder of 25-year-old Sharon Denise Moore, whose lifeless body was discovered on Weakley Street. Initially, suspicion fell on 39-year-old Larry Eugene Ward, who was embroiled in a separate violent altercation with law enforcement. Ward's proximity to Moore's body led to his arrest and charge with second-degree murder.
On October 5, Barnes struck again, claiming the life of 28-year-old Loria Ann Deberry on the corner of Carolina and Hernando. His violent spree continued on October 25, when he shot 23-year-old Tony Lee Thompson at 421 South Parkway West. Thompson, however, survived his injuries. By October 31, 37-year-old Joyce M. Thomas fell victim to Barnes, her body riddled with bullets in a field north of 295 West Peebles. The final confirmed attack occurred on November 5, with 30-year-old Eric Lewis, who, like Thompson, survived despite his serious injuries.
Arrest and the Confessions
In the wake of Joyce M. Thomas's murder, the Memphis Police Department formed a task force dedicated to unraveling the mystery behind these heinous acts. A pivotal moment came when a witness managed to note the license plate of the car involved in Lewis's attack. The vehicle was traced back to a gray Hyundai registered to Barnes, matching the description reported in earlier incidents.
Surveillance was set up, and on November 10, authorities moved to arrest Barnes. A brief car chase ensued, during which Barnes discarded a pistol, later confirmed through ballistic tests to be the weapon used in all five attacks. With this evidence, Barnes was detained in the Shelby County Jail.
Survivors Thompson and Lewis identified Barnes as their attacker, and under interrogation, Barnes confessed to the murders, including that of Sharon Denise Moore. This admission led to the exoneration of Larry Eugene Ward, who was released from suspicion. Investigations expanded to consider Barnes's potential involvement in other unsolved murders in Memphis and Detroit, though no additional charges were brought against him.
The Mental Health Debate
Barnes's motivations were as bizarre as his crimes. He spoke of an overwhelming "feeling" that drove him to kill those he deemed "vermin of the Earth." His behavior in custody and court was erratic—head bobbing, sudden outbursts, and tantrums—leading to speculation about his mental state. Some believed Barnes suffered from multiple personality disorder, a contentious diagnosis at the time, especially given the recent prosecution of Sedley Alley using similar defenses.
Despite these claims, prosecutors argued Barnes was feigning mental illness, citing his boasts of deceiving psychiatric evaluations. They pushed for the death penalty. However, initial psychiatric evaluations found Barnes competent to stand trial. His defense hired Dr. George B. Greaves, an expert in multiple personality disorder, who identified 12 distinct personalities within Barnes.
Dr. Greaves noted Barnes's cooperative demeanor, marred by episodes of delusional happiness, including a bizarre belief that a flying saucer would rescue him. Greaves dismissed the notion of Barnes faking his condition, emphasizing the complexity of his symptoms. Despite these findings, Barnes remained in mental health facilities until 1996, when it was determined that, though mentally ill, he comprehended the nature of his crimes.
Trial, Imprisonment, and Current Status
In September 1997, as his trial approached, Barnes unexpectedly pled guilty to all charges, a move that spared him the death penalty. In a plea agreement, the charges were reduced to second-degree murder, resulting in a 40-year imprisonment sentence with eligibility for parole after 16 years. Barnes was held at the Lois M. DeBerry Special Needs Facility in Nashville, where he continued to receive treatment.
According to the Tennessee Department of Correction, Barnes was released from prison on April 10, 2016, closing a grim chapter in Tennessee's criminal history, yet leaving behind unanswered questions about the depths of his mind and the full extent of his crimes.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Murder Confirmed
Sharon Denise Moore, 25, is found shot to death.
Second Murder
Loria Ann Deberry, 28, is picked up and shot.
Survivor Attack
Tony Lee Thompson is shot but survives the attack.
Third Murder Confirmed
Joyce M. Thomas, 37, is found shot in a field.
Final Attack
Eric Lewis is shot but survives the attack.
Arrest of Barnes
James Antonio Barnes is arrested after a car chase.
Guilty Plea
Barnes pleads guilty to three counts of second-degree murder.
Sentencing
Barnes is sentenced to 40 years imprisonment.
Release from Prison
James Antonio Barnes is released after serving time.