When unfortunate things happen in life.
Become better, not bitter.
From a young age, my life has been guided by a deep-seated passion for public service and political advocacy, a calling rooted in my unwavering desire to create meaningful change. My vision has always been clear: to confront the critical issues facing our nation and to be a catalyst for equity, dignity, and hope. This mission is not just a professional aspiration; it is the heartbeat of my existence. Yet, life has a way of testing conviction through unexpected trials. Recent challenges have placed me on an unanticipated path, one I never imagined. But I refuse to be defined by adversity. Instead, I stand firm in my purpose, more determined than ever to serve the greater good. These hardships, though painful, have only reinforced my dedication. I will not allow setbacks to diminish the fire that fuels my commitment to justice, compassion, and progress. My entire life has been devoted to building a better world, and that vision remains undeterred.
Rather than succumb to despair, I choose faith. I embrace the grace of God, trusting that this chapter, however difficult, will forge a stronger, wiser, and more resilient version of myself. Life’s course may be uncertain, but my devotion to uplifting others and advancing positive change is unwavering.
With faith, purpose, and perseverance, I move forward, undaunted and inspired, to continue the work I was called to do.​
Alvin Barnes of Jackson, Mississippi.
The Facts.
A Fight for Justice
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My name is Alvin Barnes. At 18 years old, I was indicted and later convicted of a crime I did not commit. Although I was acquitted of the most serious charge, sexual battery, I was convicted of gratification of lust and sentenced to ten years, with four to serve, six suspended, and three years of probation. Currently, I am seeking justice through a Motion for Post Conviction Collateral Relief (PCCR) filed in the Circuit Court of Hinds County, Mississippi. This motion represents both a legal and deeply personal response to the flawed process that led to my conviction.
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In the wake of the legal ordeal that upended my life, this motion has become the vessel for my truth. It is a formal challenge to the verdict that has cast a long and undeserved shadow over my name. Through carefully laid out arguments and a review of key facts, the motion exposes serious procedural and constitutional issues, from the State’s late disclosure of crucial evidence to the misclassification of the offense at sentencing and the prosecutor’s contradictory statements about the DNA evidence. These issues paint a picture starkly different from the one presented to the jury at trial.
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Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
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My trial attorney was deprived of critical evidence, the complainant’s Child Advocacy Center (CAC) interview video and transcript, until just days before trial. He was denied a continuance to review and investigate this evidence, despite its relevance to the accuser’s credibility. Furthermore, he failed to clarify ambiguous DNA testimony and did not fully object to misleading statements made by the prosecutor during closing arguments. The jury was also improperly instructed regarding the required legal standard for finding a “lustful purpose,” which further prejudiced my defense. These failures, individually and collectively, compromised my right to a fair trial.
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Due Process and Brady Violations
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Under Brady v. Maryland, the State is required to turn over potentially exculpatory evidence in time for it to be used effectively in trial preparation. In my case, the prosecution failed to provide the CAC interview and related medical records until shortly before the trial began. This last-minute disclosure deprived my attorney of the opportunity to adequately use the information to impeach the complainant or develop an alternative theory of the case. The late disclosure of such material evidence is a clear violation of my due process rights.​
Newly Discovered Evidence
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The prosecutor’s statement at sentencing that the jury was unaware of the sperm evidence was not part of the trial record and only emerged after the verdict had been reached. This new information undermines confidence in the integrity of the original proceedings and supports the need for either a new trial or, at the very least, a corrected and fair sentencing hearing.
What the Evidence Showed
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A closer look at the trial evidence raises further doubts. The ER doctor and nurse who examined the complainant found no physical injuries, despite allegations of penetration. DNA analysis showed that a sperm cell fraction on the complainant’s undergarments matched my DNA, yet the State later claimed the jury was unaware of this, a claim directly contradicted by trial testimony. The complainant also changed key aspects of her testimony between the CAC interview and trial. She denied making the earlier statement until confronted with the recording.
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The jury ultimately acquitted me of sexual battery, which indicated serious doubt regarding the prosecution’s most serious charge. Yet I was still convicted of gratification of lust, a conviction now challenged on multiple legal and factual grounds.
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The Bigger Legal Issue: Conflicting Laws
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At the time of the alleged incident, I was 18 and the complainant was 15. We were both high school students. Mississippi’s “Romeo and Juliet” statute (Miss. Code § 97 3 95) specifically addresses cases involving consensual relationships between individuals within 36 months of age. This provision should have been applied in my case. However, the prosecution ignored this statute and pursued charges that do not account for this legal protection. This misuse and misapplication of conflicting laws played a direct role in my conviction and raised serious concerns about how Mississippi law was interpreted and enforced in my case.
A Message from Me
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I am not defined by the mistakes of a courtroom or the misconduct of those who failed to uphold the law. I am defined by my belief in truth, my trust in God, and my commitment to justice. This experience has not broken me; it has made me more resolute in my efforts to advocate for transparency and fairness, both for myself and for others who may face similar injustice.
The Motion for Post Conviction Collateral Relief now stands as my response to the narrative that has long misrepresented who I am. It is a comprehensive, evidence-backed argument that calls for my conviction to be vacated, or at the very least, for the sentencing to be corrected. This motion is my testament to an enduring belief in the law’s capacity to correct itself and serve justice when new truths come to light.
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Where the Case Stands Today
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I am currently awaiting a review of this motion in the Circuit Court of Hinds County. I hope that this filing will bring the clarity and fairness that were absent from the original proceedings. My pursuit of justice continues, grounded in the law and driven by truth.