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Jury deadlock leads to mistrial in prosecution tied to 2022 Baltimore fire that killed three firefighters
A Baltimore judge declared a mistrial after jurors could not reach a unanimous verdict in the case against James Edwin Barnett, who is accused of setting a vacant Stricker Street home on fire. Three firefighters died responding to the January 2022 blaze.
A Baltimore judge declared a mistrial Tuesday in the case against James Edwin Barnett, who is accused of setting fire to a vacant home on South Stricker Street in January 2022. Jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict after hearing the evidence, State’s Attorney Ivan Bates said.
The fire killed Lt. Paul Butrim, Lt. Kelsey Sadler and EMT/Firefighter Kenny Lacayo, who were responding to the blaze. Barnett was charged in November 2025, nearly four years after the fire.
Bates said the outcome was deeply disappointing for the firefighters’ families and that his office is evaluating what to do next. “Our commitment to these families and to pursuing justice has not changed,” he said in a statement.
The mistrial leaves the case unresolved. Bates said prosecutors would continue working to hold Barnett accountable for the alleged actions and the consequences of the fire.