Tulsa Co. Jury Finds Man Guilty Of Assault, Battery For Shooting Process Server

A Tulsa County jury found Christopher Barnett guilty of assault and battery for shooting a process server in 2019. 

The jury recommended he serve 32 years in prison. 

Barnett's attorneys argued this was a self-defense case, but prosecutors said this was a case of arrogance.

Jurors watched surveillance video showing the scene that unfolded in Barnett's front yard last summer. It was paired together with audio recorded by the process server, so the jury could hear what was said between Barnett and the victim, before he was shot.  

"You've got a citizen who's literally walking away from the incident holding pieces of paper. You don't have to go a bunch beyond that video and audio to make that decision. I don't think it was hard for this jury at all,” Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said.

"The verdict today was disappointing,” Barnett’s defense attorney, Jason Lollman, said.

The jury deliberated for about an hour, after hearing the 911 call Barnett made. Defense attorneys argued you could hear the fear in Barnett's voice.

"I had hoped that maybe that would have demonstrated it more clearly, apparently it did not,” Lollman said.

The guilty verdict comes after two days of testimony, where the jury learned about Barnett's Facebook post saying, "The best process server is a dead one," and his Google search asking "Can I kill a process server for trespassing?"

"I think they listened to what Mr. Collier had said. I thought it was very poignant. He said you need to put a dent in this man's arrogance. And take that smile off his face. And I think 32 years is gonna give him plenty of time to do that,” Kunzweiler said.

Barnett took the stand this week, defending his actions. The victim, Ian Napier, testified too, and is grateful the jury heard his story.

"I'm just thankful for how this turned out. And I'm thankful for the prosecution and everything that they've done,” Napier said.

Barnett's sentencing is scheduled for April 9th. 

Related Stories:

Jury Trial For Man Charged For Shooting Process Server To Continue 

Jurors Hear Testimony In Christopher Barnett Trial 

Jury Selection Starts For Trial Of Tulsa Man Accused Of Shooting Process Server 

UPDATE: Tulsa Man Can't Use Oklahoma's Stand Your Ground Law In Process Server Shooting