CARROLLTON – A Winona man accused of killing three people in Carroll County last spring was arraigned in circuit court Tuesday. He entered a plea of not guilty.
Michael M. Barnhill, 30, of Winona went before Circuit Judge Joseph Loper, Jr., at the Carrollton courthouse Tuesday morning where he was officially arraigned for capital murder and aggravated assault. He was represented by public defender Ray Baum.
Barnhill stands accused of the shooting deaths of Marlee Jones Barnhill, 27, Jim Harrell, 44, and Jamie Brooks Harrell on March 1, 2019, at the Harrell home located on County Road 135 in Carroll County.
Michael Barnhill is also facing aggravated assault charges for “to cause bodily injury to Amber Garrard, with a deadly weapon,” for allegedly shooting at Garrard during the course of the shooting, according to the indictment.
Michael Barnhill, who is being held without bond at the Carroll County Jail in Vaiden, was not granted bond by Loper in Tuesday’s court proceeding.
When Loper asked if he planned to hire his own attorney, Michael Barnhill told the court that he was not able to afford his own attorney, and Baum was appointed to represent him in future court proceedings.
A trial date was set by the court for November 18, the first day of the term.
Marlee Jones Barnhill, Jim Harrell, and Brooks Harrell were shot and killed during a birthday celebration for Marlee at the Harrell residence in Carroll County.
Michael Barnhill, husband of Marlee, was arrested and charged with the shooting after he was identified as a suspect witnesses at the scene, according to Carroll County Sheriff Clint Walker.
