Baltimore, MD – Dayrel McFarland has been sentenced to life in prison plus three years for the first-degree murder of his roommate and former college basketball star Jamal Barney.
The killing, which prosecutors described as “exceedingly cruel and brutal,” shocked the community and drew significant attention to the horrific details of the crime.
The Crime
On October 2, 2023, police were alerted by anonymous tips from Barney’s family that McFarland, also known as “Little D,” had murdered Barney by striking him in the head with a cinder block and hiding his body in an abandoned home.
Barney, who had been missing for nine days, was found dead at 520 North Payson Street in Baltimore. His family had filed a missing person report shortly before police received the tips.
When police arrived, they detected a strong foul odor coming from the property. Upstairs, they discovered Barney’s body hidden inside a mattress, covered with blankets and clothing. The body was in such an advanced state of decomposition that it was initially unrecognizable.
However, the police observed signs of trauma in the home, including blood spatter on the walls, cinder blocks, and a concrete paver—all of which pointed to the crime scene’s grisly nature.
Victim’s Cause of Death
The medical examiner later confirmed that the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, consistent with being struck by a cinder block. The victim was identified as Jamal Barney, a beloved figure in his community who had an impressive college basketball career.
The Confession and Investigation
According to witness testimony, McFarland confessed to killing Barney and showed the witness the crime scene. The witness reported that McFarland stated, “Barney was still letting air out for two days before he finally stopped”, indicating the prolonged suffering Barney endured before dying.
McFarland allegedly confessed to hiding Barney’s body in the mattress and attempting to destroy evidence using acid.
McFarland’s DNA was found on the cinder block, which led to his arrest. Initially, McFarland denied any involvement in the murder, stating that he had a roommate but had no further details about the crime. Despite his denials, McFarland was convicted in March 2025 for the brutal murder of Barney.
The Sentencing
In a statement following the sentencing, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates expressed his hope that the sentence would bring some justice to Barney’s family. “It is my hope that this sentence brings a measure of justice for the senseless and tragic loss of Jamal Barney, who was taken from his family and loved ones in an exceedingly cruel and brutal manner,” Bates said.
The case was handled by Assistant State’s Attorney Alyssa Ragland, who was praised for her tireless efforts in ensuring that McFarland would be held accountable for the crime and removed from the streets.
Jamal Barney’s Legacy
Jamal Barney was a well-known figure in Baltimore. He played for Loyola University Maryland from 2008 to 2010, where he scored over 1,000 points and had two games where he scored 40 points. Barney’s tragic death has left a void in the local community, and his legacy as a talented basketball player and beloved person remains intact.
