Dayrel McFarland was found guilty for the First-Degree Murder of Jamal Barney
Baltimore, Md. (June 20, 2025) – Today, the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City announced that defendant Dayrel McFarland was sentenced to Life plus three years for First-Degree Murder and Deadly Weapon with Intent to Injure for beating his roommate, Jamal Barney, to death in October 2023. Assistant State’s Attorney Alyssa Ragland prosecuted this case.
“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,” said State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates. “I commend ASA Alyssa Ragland for her tireless work to ensure that this dangerous defendant is removed from our streets.
On October 2, 2023, Baltimore Police responded to 520 N. Payson Street, following reports of a possible suspicious death. Family members at the scene reported that the victim had been missing for nine days and had already filed a missing person report and circulated flyers on social media. They later received anonymous messages claiming that a suspect known as “Little D” struck the victim in the head with a cinder block and hid the body in a vacant home. Officers entered the residence and immediately detected a strong foul odor. Inside of a second-floor bedroom, a body was discovered inside of a mattress covered with blankets and clothing. Due to the advanced stage of decomposition, the victim’s gender and race were unidentifiable, and no obvious signs of trauma or blood were present. However, a large hole was found in the right-side bedroom wall, leading to two adjoining rooms where officers observed apparent blood evidence and splatter on the walls. Additionally, a small section of carpet appeared to be stained with suspected blood, alongside two cinder blocks and a concrete paver.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the victim’s death a homicide caused by blunt force trauma to the head and identified the body through tattoos as Jamal Barney. During the course of the investigation, a suspect was identified as Dayrel McFarland and arrested. The defendant initially denied the murder, but admitted to having a roommate. A witness stated to police that the defendant admitted to killing Jamal Barney by hitting him in the head with a cinder block and hiding the body in a mattress on the second floor.