In a significant court ruling in Johnston County, David Alan Brinson was convicted of first-degree murder for the 2020 stabbing death of his girlfriend, Karen Barney. The tragic incident took place in Barney’s Clayton apartment, where she was found deceased by her sister. Brinson, who has a prior conviction for assault, was handed a life sentence without parole by Judge W. Taylor Browne after a two-week trial. The court heard poignant testimony from Brinson’s ex-wife about his violent history. Assistant District Attorneys Paul Jackson and Lindsey Patterson led the prosecution, while Margaret Lumsden served as Brinson’s defense attorney. Karen Barney is survived by her three children and grandchildren.
