ANDERSON, SC — A South Carolina man charged with the murder of his wife is set to face trial alongside his mistress and another accomplice accused of aiding him in disposing of the body. The trio’s involvement has drawn considerable local attention as they prepare for an upcoming preliminary court appearance.
Brandon Barnes allegedly strangled his wife, Jessica Barnes, on August 2, 2024. Her disappearance went unreported until over a month later on September 10, and authorities only discovered her remains a week after she was reported missing. The grim find was made in the Twin Lakes region of Pickens County.
Court filings reveal that Barnes purportedly solicited the assistance of his lover, Kendall Mims, and roommate, Victoria Tippett, in the aftermath of the crime. Both women are charged with accessory after the fact and obstructing justice. Tippett, in a statement to the authorities, claimed she witnessed the murder and confessed to her complicity in disposing of Jessica’s body.
Details presented in the case indicate a chilling betrayal and calculated move to cover up the heinous act. Mims, who faced a judge in December 2024, was denied bond during a particularly poignant court session. Her defense argued she had been a victim of recurring abuse by Barnes, which escalated to physical assaults causing her serious health issues, including stroke-like symptoms.
The legal strategies for the defendants may become clearer as prosecutors are expected to table more evidence against Barnes, Mims, and Tippett during the Friday hearing. The community and local media have closely followed the developments due to the macabre nature of the crime and the subsequent legal proceedings.
Legal experts suggest that the prosecution will lean heavily on Tippett’s testimony and forensic evidence from the crime scene to tie Barnes directly to the murder.
The involvement of Mims and Tippett, who reportedly lived with Barnes at the time, highlights complex dynamics that could play a crucial role in both the prosecution’s case and the defense strategies.
As the case progresses, questions about the motives behind Jessica Barnes’s murder and the psychology of the relationships involved continue to intrigue both the public and legal watchers.
The upcoming preliminary hearing, scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. this Friday, promises to shed further light on this tragic case and the depths of deceit within personal relationships turned deadly.