Shaker Heights man found guilty in street fight

Adrian Barker, 21, of Shaker Heights, was found guilty on Friday, April 23, of beating and stomping to death Christopher Kernich, a Kent State University student, during a street fight. The Portage County jury verdict followed three hours of jury deliberations.

Barker went on trial April 20 before Judge John Enlow on counts of felonious assault and obstructing official business. Barker now faces a mandatory sentence of 15 years to life.

During the trial, County Prosecutor Victor Vigliucci argued Barker punched Kernich in the back of the head the night of Nov. 15, 2009, causing Kernich to fall to the ground and strike his head on the pavement. On the ground and unconscious, the prosecutor argued Barker, and another man, Ronald Kelly, 20, of Shaker Heights, repeatedly kicked and stomped Kernich.

Defense lawyer Scott Michael Lear argued police had the wrong man, and the evidence gathered by police was flawed. Court records show the defense tried to have DNA evidence related to the case suppressed but Enlow overruled the defense motion and allowed the DNA test results. During the trial Barker did not take the stand to testify on his own behalf.

The other defendant in the case, Ronald Kelly, is scheduled to go on trial in Portage County on May 5.

　
Sources:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/y_clevelan/20100421/ts_y_clevelan/y_clevelan_ts1715
http://www.co.portage.oh.us/pa/pa.urd/pamw2000*o_case_sum?87156771
http://www.co.portage.oh.us/pa/pa.urd/pamw2000*docket_lst?87156771