Case of Man Who Allegedly Murdered His Grandmother is Postponed

By Shanika Carlies

Barry James, 34, a resident of the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, was charged with murdering his grandmother, Joyce James-Spears, 70, in their Union Street home on March 22, 2017.

According to court reports, James murdered his grandmother by repeatedly stabbing her and then stricking her with a dumbbell.

The reason that James gave for murdering his grandmother was that he thought she was possessed, according to police reports.

It was reported that her body was covered up in a bloody sheet outside her home near the trash. Her deceased cat was found nearby as well.

According to police reports, a person found her body while taking out the trash.

James has a prior psychiatric history, and neighbors described him as a man with mental issues, who often talked to himself, according to news reports.

Spears was viewed in the neighborhood as a hard-working woman who was friendly and mainly kept to herself.

James was charged with murder in the second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

James’ defense attorney, Steven Chaiken, couldn’t reveal much information because of client privilege.

“He took a plea, which is called a not responsible plea, by reason of mental defect or disease,” Chaiken said of James.

The case was supposed to be held on Thursday morning at 320 Jay Street in the Supreme Court building.

Judge Matthew J. D’ Emic was not present because he had to sign off on where James was going to be held, which resulted in all of his cases being postponed that day.

Judge D’ Emic was scheduled to be back in court on Friday.