SMITHFIELD – A Johnston County Jury convicted a Clayton man of first-degree murder in the 2020 stabbing death of his girlfriend.
On Monday, November 4, a jury found David Alan Brinson guilty of murdering Karen Barney.
Judge W. Taylor Browne presided over the two week trial and following the guilty verdict sentenced Brinson to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The State was represented by Assistant District Attorneys Paul Jackson and Lindsey Patterson. David Brinson was represented by attorney Margaret Lumsden.
On June 1, 2020, Karen Barney was with Brinson in her apartment on N. O’Neil Street in Clayton when he stabbed her to death. Karen’s body was later discovered by her sister. The 54 year-old victim was a mother to three children and a grandmother.
David Brinson has previously been convicted of assault inflicting serious injury. His ex-wife testified against him during the trial, telling jurors about the long and violent history that she suffered at the hands of Brinson.
Members of the victim’s family were present throughout the trial.
Patterson stated, “The District Attorney’s Office is pleased with the outcome of the case. We are incredibly grateful to the jurors in this case who were able to see the truth. We are thankful for the survivors of the defendant’s past violent acts who were willing to testify so no one else would have to suffer from the defendant’s abuse. We appreciate the family of Karen Barney who diligently remained in the courtroom for the entire trial. Our deepest sympathies are with the Barney family, and we hope that this verdict will allow them to turn the page on this very painful chapter. Many thanks to the Clayton Police Department and Captain Temple who vigorously investigated this case to bring justice for the victim. The Johnston County District Attorney’s Office will continue to aggressively pursue justice for the victims of violent crimes. Our community is immeasurably safer now that David Alan Brinson will spend the rest of his life in prison.”
