Judge Sets Retrial for Man in Firefighter Deaths
Baltimore Circuit Court will retry James Barnett after a jury deadlocked in October on charges tied to a 2022 vacant rowhome fire.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Criminal Justice
A Baltimore City Circuit Court judge scheduled a retrial for James Barnett on February 22, 2027, after a mistrial was declared in October 2026 when the jury could not reach a unanimous decision. The state alleges Barnett set the vacant rowhome fire on Stricker Street that killed three Baltimore firefighters.
Why it matters
The case remains unresolved after the first jury remained split, leaving the outcome for families of the firefighters and the Baltimore community uncertain. The retrial timing also reflects a dispute between prosecutors and the court over how long the case should take to be heard again.
The retrial is scheduled to last 10 days, starting February 22, 2027, for charges tied to the Stricker Street fire that killed three firefighters. The judge declined prosecutors' mid-April 2027 retrial request, which cited witness availability.
The players
James Barnett
Barnett is the defendant in the Stricker Street fire case, whose retrial was scheduled after the first jury deadlocked.
Melissa Copeland
Copeland is a Baltimore City Circuit Court judge who scheduled the retrial and declined prosecutors' request for a mid-April date.
The details
The state alleges Barnett set the vacant rowhome fire that collapsed during the firefighter response, while the defense argues prosecutors failed to prove any crime took place. The jury in the first trial was unable to reach a unanimous decision after reviewing the evidence again.
Timeline
2022: Fatal Stricker Street vacant rowhome fire occurred.
October 2026: Mistrial declared after the jury could not agree.
November 6, 2026: Judge scheduled the retrial for February 2027.
February 22, 2027: Retrial for James Barnett scheduled to begin.
Mid-April 2027: Prosecutors' requested retrial date, declined by the judge.
Legal Context
The retrial follows a mistrial in the prosecution arising from the 2022 Stricker Street vacant rowhome fire that killed three Baltimore firefighters. The timing dispute over the retrial date shows how court scheduling in Baltimore City Circuit Court can extend a case several years after the underlying event.
Baltimore residents and the families of the three firefighters face a delayed resolution, as the retrial will not occur until February 2027. The 10-day retrial schedule means the case will continue to occupy court time in the coming months.
The takeaway
Court scheduling decisions can add months or years to criminal cases, and the timing of retrials directly affects victims and the public. The outcome of the February 2027 retrial will determine whether the Stricker Street case reaches a final resolution.
What happens next
The retrial of James Barnett is scheduled to begin February 22, 2027, in Baltimore City Circuit Court.
Further reading
For related context, see Criminal Justice coverage from Baltimore.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBAL.
