Burlington County, NJ, Man Found Guilty of Murder
A man from Burlington County has been found guilty for fatally shooting a man three years ago.
After deliberating for about two hours, a superior court jury found 32-year-old Kwacey Q. Owens of Willingboro guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon charges.
In addition to the conviction, Owens pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree persons not to have weapons.
An investigation began during the early morning hours of October 8th, 2020, after Willingboro Township police officers were called to the first block of Maplewick Lane for a report of a shooting.
At the scene, they found the body of 28-year-old Barry Barino outside the rear door of his home. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy performed by the Burlington County Medical Examiner ruled that Barino’s death was caused by a gunshot wound to the head.
The Burlington County Prosecutor's Office said,
The investigation revealed that Barino and Owens were acquaintances, and that Owens had been inside the victim’s home a short time earlier before luring him outside to kill him. The weapon used in the shooting, a .45 caliber pistol, was recovered inside the residence where Owens had been staying.
Owens was charged with murder 12 days after the shooting and has been lodged in the Burlington County Jail since being taken into custody.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 4th.
