Janice Ingram, a 50-year-old woman, was tragically murdered on October 8, 1979, in her home in Balch Springs, Texas. On that fateful day, Danny Lee Barber, a serial killer, entered her home with the intention of committing a burglary. Barber, who had previously done manual work on the grounds of Ingram's property, found an open door and walked in. Startled by Ingram's presence, Barber bludgeoned her around the head and face with a piece of pipe he had picked up in her backyard. When Ingram began to scream, Barber stabbed her in the throat, ultimately killing her. Her naked body was discovered over two weeks later on October 26 by her mother, Ruth Clowers, and brother, Roy Clowers.
Barber was arrested on May 4, 1980, for breaking into a flea market. While incarcerated, he confessed to the murder of Janice Ingram and three other individuals in Dallas County. These victims included 39-year-old Mary Caperton, who was murdered on April 21, 1980; Raymond Curly, who was killed on June 18, 1978; and 48-year-old Mercedes Mendez, who was beaten, sexually molested, and shot three times in the head on January 17, 1979. Barber's confession revealed that he had engaged in sexual activity with two of the corpses.
In August 1980, Barber was sentenced to death for the murder of Janice Ingram and received life imprisonment for the other two murders. His execution was initially scheduled for January 2, 1988, but was postponed due to a stay issued by United States Supreme Court Justice Byron White. A second execution date was set after a decision by U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks. Barber was ultimately executed by lethal injection on February 11, 1999, in the Huntsville Unit in Texas. His last words expressed regret for his actions and a plea for forgiveness from Ingram's family.
