Speculation has arisen concerning a South Carolina man’s relationship with several women after his arrest on murder charges.
Police charged Jessica Barnes’ husband, 21-year-old Brandon Barnes, with her murder earlier this week. Their roommates, Victoria Tippett and Kendall Mims, both 20, face charges of accessory after the fact, obstruction of justice, and misprision of a felony. Additional charges may follow.
A probable cause affidavit obtained by FITS News, stated that Barnes allegedly strangled Jessica to death on August 2 at a pool house in Pendleton. Tippett and Mims also lived in the pool house, which Mims’ grandfather reportedly owns.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, the arrest affidavit stated that Brandon Barnes is accused of killing Jessica by “using his arms to strangle her to death.”
“The defendant did admit to the murder after being advised of Miranda,” the affidavit stated.
A judge denied bond Wednesday afternoon for all three suspects.
Mims, who has an infant daughter with Barnes, has been described as only a roommate, but Anderson County probate court records show they obtained a marriage license on July 31, according to FITS News.
Cecilia Varvara, Jessica’s mother, said that when Barnes met Jessica online, he claimed Mims, who was pregnant at the time, was his sister. Barnes gave a similar story to a former girlfriend, telling her that Jessica was Mims’ best friend.
On January 8, Jessica and Brandon Barnes obtained a marriage license from the Anderson County Probate Court. According to court records, he acquired a marriage license with Mims five months earlier at the same court.
Unlike his marriage to Mims, the marriage to Jessica included an officiant and a wedding date. According to Varvara, Jessica was unaware of his marriage license with Mims.
Pendleton Police Chief Robert Crosby confirmed that Mims and Barnes were never divorced.
When asked about bigamy charges, he said that after consulting with the 10th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, there are no plans to file those charges, considering the seriousness of the other offenses.
The three defendants are being held at the Anderson County Detention Center, with their initial hearings are set for December 3.
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[Featured image: Jessica Barnes/Handout]
