BREAKING: Barker found guilty

Cassie Neiden

Adrian Barker, found guilty of the murder of Christopher Kernich in 2009, was found guilty of murder, felony murder and felonious assault Thursday by a jury in the Portage County Court of Common Pleas after a re-trial.

Barker, of Shaker Heights, was immediately sentenced, despite defense counsel’s request for a later date, to life in prison with the eligibility of parole after 15 years, according to Darlene Pepper, judicial assistant to Judge John Enlow.

The jury deliberated for about 13 hours over three days.

Barker won a retrial in 2012 after receiving the same sentence in 2010. His time served in the Ohio Department of Corrections and Portage County Jail since then count toward his 15 years to parole.

Barker was convicted of assisting in killing Kernich during a street fight on Nov. 15, 2009. Kernich died six days later at Akron City Hospital.

Two other men, Ronald Kelly, who was a student at the University of Akron and Glenn Jefferson, of Mentor, were convicted for taking part in the attack in 2010. Kelly was found guilty of murder and felonious assault and Jefferson of obstructing justice.

Contact Cassie Neiden at [email protected].