UPDATED: Bloomington man charged with drug induced homicide, heroin delivery

Posted on February 27, 2019

*Christopher Barker, 35, was arrested Wednesday by Bloomington Police on a McLean County warrant. (Bloomington Police Department photo)*

By Howard Packowitz and Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington man has been arrested for a drug induced homicide last fall, and prosecutors have also charged him with supplying heroin to the victim before his death.

Bloomington Police said in a news release that McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder determined George Darnell,44, died from a drug overdose November 8 at his home in the 600 block of South McClun Street.

The investigation by BPD, the coroner, and the McLean County State’s Attorney’s office led to Wednesday’s arrest of Christopher Barker, 35. The arrest warrant carries a $1 million bond, meaning Barker has to post $100,000 to be released from the McLean County Jail.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact BPD Detective Jared Bierbaum at 309-434-2807, or at [email protected]. The incident report is #201814910.

Callers wishing to remain anonymous are asked to contact McLean County Crime Stoppers at 309-828-1111.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…