Oxygen is re-airing the Snapped investigation into the murder of Jerry Barker, who was shot by his wife, Rebecca Barker, as he sat in his home in Cherokee County, Texas.
Rebecca had been charged 20 years previously when she shot her first husband, John Osborne. He was wounded but survived the attack. At the time, she was spared a lengthy sentence and was given a second chance.
On February 26, 2014, Rebecca shot dead her 76-year-old husband, Jerry, as he sat in his recliner in his living room.
The police interviewed Rebecca, who eventually confessed to killing Jerry but claimed she had suffered years of abuse; however, she kept changing her story until the police concluded she had simply murdered him in cold blood.
Rebecca officially admitted to the murder and was convicted. She was put on a sentencing trial to determine the severity of her sentence and if there were mitigating factors, such as abuse.
Rebecca’s friend, Shevie Poston, testified at the trial that she had seen the shooter with two black eyes a month before the murder. However, other victims claimed they had never seen any signs of trouble between the couple.
Prosecution argued that Rebecca Barker was a cold-blooded killer
The prosecution also claimed that Jerry had suffered an injury years before that left him unable to lift his arms. This damaged the defense’s argument that he had been an abusive husband.
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelA jury deliberated for just 30 minutes before agreeing with the prosecution and sentencing Rebecca to life in prison.
Afterward, Cherokee County District Attorney Rachel Patton said, “I think that Rebecca is very manipulative. I think she’s very cold, and she’s only concerned about herself. I truly believe that Rebecca Barker has never loved anyone but herself.”
Rebecca Barker had tried to kill her first husband but was spared a lengthy sentence
In 1996, Rebecca fired a shot into the back of another recliner where her first husband, John Osborne, was sitting. The bullet hit the back of his neck and went out his jaw. At the time, the pair were having marital difficulties and were living separately.
Osborne asked that his wife be prosecuted but was adamant that she not serve any jail time. He reportedly wanted her to get help for alcohol abuse and to have a second chance.
Rebecca served six months in jail and was ordered to undergo anger management, drug and alcohol treatment, and psychological counseling.
In 2014, Osborne reportedly expressed guilt over the murder of Jerry Barker because he had allowed Rebecca a second chance.
Rebecca Barker is currently serving a life sentence at the William P. Hobby Unit prison in Marlin, TX.
This episode of Snapped re-airs Friday at 6/5c on Oxygen.