While picking jurors, “One of the things that was stressed was that their verdict be based on facts, not sympathy. They promised they would base their opinion on the evidence,” a promised adhered to, said Carpenter.Barron appeared at trial in the wheelchair he has been confined to since the shooting by DEA Agent Dustin Bloxham.Barron’s family members - including his three young children - were inside the house at the time of the shooting. Barron’s weapon was found underneath him after the shooting.Santa Paula Police and the DEA had been investigating Barron for months for the sales of methamphetamine, including local sales to a DEA informant.In 2004 Barron filed a $35-million civil rights lawsuit against the DEA and the City of Santa Paula, but with his conviction - including the charge of threatening officers with a gun that led to the shooting - the future of the civil case is uncertain.
Barron found guilty on all charges, might be sentenced to home detention
October 14, 2005
Santa Paula News
A Santa Paula man convicted Tuesday of weapons and narcotics charges isn’t likely to be sentenced to prison, after being left a quadriplegic when he was shot in the head and the neck by a Drug Enforcement Agency agent.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesA Santa Paula man convicted Tuesday of weapons and narcotics charges isn’t likely to be sentenced to prison, after being left a quadriplegic when he was shot in the head and the neck by a Drug Enforcement Agency agent. Edward Barron, 26, of Santa Paula, was convicted by a jury of assault with a firearm and selling and conspiring to sell drugs.The DEA agent shot Barron in April 2002 near the front door of his West Santa Barbara Street home after he brandished a gun during a raid by the DEA and Santa Paula Police.Although Barron could face up to 11 years in prison when he is sentenced on November 22, “We’ll think about recommendations, also a probation report, that will be drafted for the court’s benefit,” said Sr. Deputy District Attorney Ron Carpenter. Carpenter said he doubts that the judge would sentence Barron, who requires around the clock monitoring, to prison.The jury went out Friday at about 3 p.m., and on Tuesday - Monday was a court holiday - resumed their deliberations, at one point asking for a read back of testimony. The verdict came in at about 3:15 p.m., said Carpenter, who noted that there no surprises in the case.“We had spent a lot of time with this case, I’ve had for two and a half years, it was pretty much as we anticipated” and the jury closely followed deliberation instructions. “The jury did a good job; their attention during the trial” was excellent and their “questions reflected a lot of thought on their part. I don’t think it was a decision they took too lightly at all.”
