Defendant in 2005 fraternity stabbings back in jail

Katie Stallcup
Staff writer
Published: July 30, 2008

A man charged with stabbing several Auburn University fraternity members in 2005 is back in Lee County awaiting his day in court — again.

Joey Michael Barrett Jr., 25, was indicted in 2006 on multiple counts of assault. Barrett allegedly stabbed and hit several members of Phi Kappa Tau.

Lee County Judge Jacob A. Walker declared a mistrial in 2006 after Barrett’s defense attorney brought in Louie Lotz, a witness who, the attorney said, would testify he, not Barrett, stabbed the men.

When Walker interviewed Lotz, it was discovered he was mentally disabled and had not consulted an attorney, according to reports at the time.

Earlier this year, a Lee County grand jury indicted Barrett on charges of conspiracy to commit perjury, bribing a witness and witness tampering.

Barrett is being held in the Lee County Detention Facility, awaiting a hearing to determine what happens next, Lee County District Attorney Nick Abbett said Wednesday.

In a status hearing Tuesday, Walker put off setting a firm trial date for a couple weeks, Abbett said.

“The parties will report back to court for another status hearing,” Abbett said.

Barrett’s assault indictments allege he stabbed five men — in one case resulting in “serious physical injury” — and punched two others, throwing one of them into a vehicle.

The bribery indictment accuses Barrett of offering Lotz money and a vehicle in exchange for testifying.

The incident occurred at the fraternity house on West Magnolia Avenue, Auburn police Capt. Tom Stofer said.

Barrett, who lives in the Mobile area, was previously out on bond, Lee County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Van Jackson said Wednesday.

Barrett was booked into the Lee County jail June 16 on charges of first-degree assault, bribing a witness, witness tampering, soliciting assault and criminal conspiracy, Jackson said.