Citrus County inmate, in jail for attempted murder, charged with murdering another inmate
According to a press release by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), Mr. Washer died as a result of injuries he sustained during the altercation with Mr. Barnes, who has been in the custody of the Citrus County Detention Facility on a no-bond status, since his arrest on Oct. 6, 2020, on charges of atempted murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The CCSO was contacted by jail personnel, at 7:58 pm, Dec. 5, with information that Barnes and Washer had gotten into an altercation, that Mr. Washer was unresponsive, and first responders were performing cardiopulmonary resusciation (CPR) on him. Mr. Washer transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 8:45 pm. Mr. Walker, the decedent, was serving a sentence with the Florida Department of Corrections and had been recently transferred to the Citrus County Jail for a court appearance.
Detectives Slingerland and Laborda with the CCSO Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene and began an investigation into the incident. The detectives spoke with witnesses and reviewed a security surveillance video before speaking with Mr. Barnes, who "was forthcoming about his participation in the altercation," according to the press release, making statements that corroborated both the video of the incident and the statements of witnesses.
Mr. Barnes' bond was set at $50,000 on the Dec. 6 murder charge, but he is being held without bond on his Oct. 6 charges.
"Demare Barnes has proven himself to be a danger to society, whether he is free or in custody," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "His arrest in October, for attempted murder, occurred shortly after being released from a five-year prison sentence for fleeing or eluding law enforcement officers. Within months of being incarcerated again, Barnes has taken a man's life while in jail. Offenders like Barnes have little regard for human life or the law. Justice for his behavior, and peace for Washer's family, are the ultimate goal. Citrus County Sheriff's Office detectives have again worked diligently to find this justice."