Linda Gail Barnes, 51, is charged with conspiracy and robbery for the March 22, 2004, beating and robbery of Jerry Self, owner of Self Construction Co. in Muskogee. Self, 66, was beaten and kicked in the head, neck, arm and side, and more than $70,000 was taken from his business during the incident.
The Muskogee Phoenix reported Tuesday that Barnes worked as Self's secretary at the time, and prosecutors have accused Barnes of helping plan and execute the robbery.
After deliberating until late Monday, the jury split seven to five, with the majority voting not guilty.
A bond hearing has been set for Thursday. At that time, it is anticipated that the Muskogee County District Attorney's office will announce the next step in the case.
The Phoenix reported that prosecutors alleged Barnes was the only person who knew about a safe in Self's office. Prosecutors alleged that Barnes conspired with at least two others in the robbery, including Roger Keith Barnes, her brother-in-law, and Charles Martin of Fort Gibson. Both men have also been charged in the case.
Barnes' attorney claimed that Roger Barnes and others conspired with Self's son, Jerry Self Jr., to rob the business, and that Linda Barnes did not know about the robbery plans. Barnes' attorney contended that Jerry Self Jr. had a drug conviction history and knew about the safe and may have helped plan the robbery.
Your TIMES was unable to reach David Pierce, Muskogee County first assistant district attorney, for comment on the case.
