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Charges Dismissed In Phylicia Barnes Murder Case

BALTIMORE (WJZ)—Charges are dismissed against the man accused of murdering 16-year-old Phylicia Barnes. Today the latest in a series of legal surprises, mean murder charges are no longer hanging over defendant Michael Johnson.

Alex DeMetrick was in the courtroom when the judge made his decision.

Michael Johnson didn't want to talk on Thursday afternoon, after Baltimore Judge Addison Howard dismissed a second degree murder indictment after Howard ruled he had made procedural errors during an earlier hearing, and the law required he dismiss the case as a result.

Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby was quick to respond.

"We will pursue justice on behalf of this community. We will pursue justice on behalf of this family. We will pursue justice on behalf of that 16-year-old that has been murdered," said Marilyn Mosby, Baltimore's State's Attorney.

That 16-year-old was Phylicia Barnes, who disappeared while visiting relatives in Baltimore in 2010. It launched a massive search that lasted four months, when Barnes' body was found in waters near Conowingo Dam.

Michael Johnson had befriended the teen and was arrested.

Johnson allegedly raped and strangled Barnes, and placed her body in a plastic tub before traveling to the dam.

Johnson was first released from jail earlier this year when a motion for acquittal was granted, following a twisting two years that saw Johnson first convicted of second degree murder. That got thrown out when a mistrial was declared, and an effort to re-try him also failed.

Mosby then brought the indictment that was dismissed today, she vows to appeal that decision.

"I was sworn to uphold the law and to rectify what the judge admits is procedural missteps," Mosby said.

In the interim, Michael Johnson walks free of any charges he murdered Phylicia Barnes.

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