Summary of Offense:
Barbour confessed to killing Mrs. Thelma Bishop Roberts at her home on March 20, 1992. Thelma was beaten, raped, and stabbed nine or more times, with two wounds going completely through her body. A trash bag was placed over her head, clothing was piled on top of her and set on fire. This is how she was found by her then 16-year-old son. Barbour also confessed to holding Thelma down as a friend raped her. But his lawyer has argued that Barbour confessed out of fear. DNA tests excluded his co-defendant, 16-year-old Christopher Hester, as the rapist. Hester received a 35-year sentence. Barbour is asking for DNA tests to show whether he committed the sexual attack.
Barbour was sentenced to death on February 3, 1994.
Bookmarks