Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury has returned a four count indictment charging Haniyyah Barnes, 25, of Newark with second degree burglary, third Degree Animal Cruelty, third Degree Theft and third Degree Criminal Mischief.
The indictment alleges Barnes forcibly kicked in the door to the victim’s home and threatened and assaulted the victim over a parking space.
When the family’s two year-old Shih Tzu dog, Honey Bey, ran into the room and barked at the defendant, the defendant grabbed the dog by the throat, ran outside with the dog and threw the dog into oncoming traffic, where she was struck by a vehicle and killed, said Assistant Prosecutor Michele Miller, who is handling the case.
A Newark police officer patrolling in the area witnessed the actions of the defendant and immediately detained her and placed her under arrest, Miller said.
Barnes is scheduled to be arraigned on June 18 before the Honorable Verna Leath, J.S.C.
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless or until they plead guilty or are found guilty in a court of law.
