Jury Convicted Wilmington Man of Perjury
A jury found Barry Eugene Harris Jr. guilty of lying under oath regarding a courtroom incident.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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A jury convicted Barry Eugene Harris Jr. of perjury after he filed a false sworn affidavit in March 2025. The charges followed his claims that a judge physically assaulted him during a November 2024 hearing.
Why it matters
The perjury charge originated from an unsuccessful attempt to remove Judge Jeffrey Noecker from an equitable distribution case. Audio evidence from the proceedings directly contradicted the sworn statement.
Barry Eugene Harris Jr. was sentenced to 48 hours in jail and 24 months of supervised probation, along with a suspended prison term of 13 to 25 months. The court declared a mistrial for co-defendant Melanie Harris after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict.
The players
Barry Eugene Harris Jr.
He is a Wilmington resident who was convicted of perjury for lying under oath in a legal document.
Jeffrey Noecker
He is a judge whose actions were the subject of a false assault allegation during an equitable distribution case.
Melanie Harris
She was a co-defendant in the legal proceedings who received a mistrial after the jury could not reach a verdict.
The details
The defendant alleged in a March 2025 affidavit that Judge Jeffrey Noecker shoved him during a November 2024 hearing in New Hanover County. During the perjury trial, prosecutors presented audio recordings of that hearing that disproved the claim of physical contact.
Timeline
November 2024: The alleged courtroom incident involving the judge occurred.
March 2025: Harris filed the sworn affidavit containing the false claims.
September 11, 2026: A jury convicted Barry Eugene Harris Jr. of perjury.
Legal Context
This case follows a pattern set by the procedural requirements for judicial recusal motions. The conviction highlights the severe legal consequences when parties attempt to manipulate the judicial system through false sworn testimony.
The resolution of this case reaffirms the legal standard for honesty in court filings within the New Hanover County judicial system. Residents and local litigants are reminded that providing false information in a sworn affidavit carries immediate criminal consequences.
The takeaway
This case serves as a stern warning regarding the importance of accuracy in all court-filed affidavits. Litigants should be aware that audio and video evidence are frequently used to verify claims of misconduct in judicial settings.
Further reading
For more information on local legal proceedings, visit Criminal Justice.
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Does evidence of perjury in courtroom proceedings decrease your trust in the judicial system?
