According to the Cook County State Attorney’s office, authorities have arrested a 79-year-old man from Missouri on Monday in connection with the 1966 stabbing murder of an 18-year-old woman from Illinois.
James Barbier was arrested in 1966 for the murder of Snider; however, he was never charged. The authorities did not disclose the motive that Barbier would have had for killing Snider, but they did mention that he was friends with both the victim and her husband at the time.
After the murder, Barbier made his way back to his residence in Gary, Indiana, where his wife was taking care of their young child.
According to the state attorney’s office, when the defendant arrived home, he seemed nervous and had cuts and blood on him and his clothes. Upon arriving, he immediately went inside and proceeded to remove his clothes, which he then put in the washing machine. It is worth noting that the defendant also attended Snider’s funeral with the cuts still visible on him.
Barbier was issued an arrest warrant last week, and authorities arrested him on Monday at his Missouri home. He was then extradited to Illinois on Wednesday. It is currently unclear whether Barbier has legal representation.
The state attorney’s office has decided not to file a petition to detain Barbier pending trial. This decision is based on several factors including his age, physical infirmity, recent caselaw on the Pretrial Fairness Act, and the assessment that he does not pose a real and present threat.
“We are requesting the most stringent conditions possible, which would entail the individual reporting in person and being physically present at every court appearance.”
Barbier appeared for a detention hearing on Thursday, as reported by NBC Chicago. The date for his next court appearance remains uncertain.
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