In the fall of 2021, the life of Jonathan Stitts, a 37-year-old male, was tragically cut short in his Evansville, Indiana apartment. On October 1st, the sound of gunfire echoed through the Parrett Street apartment complex where Stitts resided. When authorities arrived, they discovered Stitts had been shot multiple times. Despite the efforts of first responders to save him, his injuries proved to be fatal, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the homicide
quickly pointed to two teenage suspects, thanks in part to surveillance footage from the apartment building. The video captured 17-year-old Samajui Barnes and 15-year-old Arkee Coleman at the scene. In the footage, Barnes was seen running from Stitts' third-floor apartment holding a handgun. He then turned back and fired several shots toward the apartment door, causing Stitts to fall. Coleman was also seen on the video with a gun, running away from the scene alongside Barnes.
The evidence led to the arrests of both teenagers. Samajui Barnes was charged with murder and using a firearm in the commission of a felony. In August of 2022, a jury found him guilty on both counts. He was subsequently sentenced to a total of 65 years in prison, with 55 years for the murder and an additional 10 years for the firearm enhancement. Arkee Coleman was also charged with murder. He initially entered a plea of not guilty but was later found guilty for his role in the killing and was sentenced to 45 years in prison.
