More than two years after Michael Barisone was charged in connection with the shooting of a tenant at his Long Valley, N.J., horse farm, a February trial date has been set for the 2008 Olympic dressage alternate.
His lawyer, Ed Bilinkas indicated during a hearing in Morristown today that he intends to present evidence of insanity and self-defense at trial.
Michael Barisone passes by his attorney, Ed Bilinkas, as he leaves the courtroom. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
Barisone, who remains in the Morris County Correctional Facility without bail, pleaded not guilty after being indicted on two counts of attempted murder and two counts of possessing a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Lauren Kanarek, a student of Barisone, was critically wounded by two bullets to the chest in a scuffle with the trainer at his property. Her fiancé, Robert Goodwin, also was involved in the fray.
The couple lived at the farm, but Barisone wanted them out because of what were called “escalating threats” in a lawsuit Barisone filed against 11 Washington Township police officers and the municipality. A claim was made in the document that the officers did nothing to protect Barisone when he began calling 911 eight days before the shooting because he felt the situation had gotten out of control..
During today’s hearing, Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor listened to evidence about statements that Barisone made in front of two law enforcement officers on the day of the incident. (A third officer was indisposed and is slated to take the stand in December.) The judge will decide whether jurors should be allowed to hear that testimony at the trial.
Jason Hensley, a Washington Township police officer who responded to reports of the shooting at the farm on Aug. 7, 2019, testified that he arrived at a “very chaotic” scene, where he saw a shirtless Barisone “covered in blood.”
Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn, (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
A woman lying on the ground who looked “pale and not talking too much had blood on her clothes,” he recalled. The policeman, who is one of those being sued, said he found a pistol magazine on Barisone, who was handcuffed by another officer.
Barisone had a laceration on his head, contusions on his arms and was “bleeding profuselty, according to Hensley.. Bilinkas passed photos of the injuries to the police officer as he discussed Barisone’s condition.
“Does he look like he was beaten?” Bilinkas asked, but the judge wouldn’t allow the question and noted later, “this is a very limited hearing.”
Barisone’s attorney, Ed Bilinkas, questioning Morris County Prosecutor’s Detective Jason Gould. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
Hensley gave Barisone a Miranda warning, which informs a prisoner that statements he makes may be used against him at trial. The officer rode in the ambulance that took Barisone to Morristown Medical Center. He heard Barisone say several times, “Is this real? I need to wake up.”
When Bilinkas asked Hensley what was said when he responded to the 911 call a week earlier, the judge derailed the question, saying it wasn’t relevant to this hearing, but might be for future hearings.
Michael Barisone during his competition days riding at Dressage at Devon. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Morris County Prosecutor’s Detective Jason Gould, who was at the hospital when Barisone was being treated, reported that he overheard Barisone say something to the effect of, “They destroyed my life in the last six months. I had a good life, they took it all away and I’m sorry about it.”
Bilinkas asked Gould if he heard Barisone say that he didn’t remember what happened that day, but the detective replied, “not that I can recall.”
Barisone, who sat with his head bowed through most of the hearing, had been on track for a June 2020 trial as part of the speedy trial protocol, but that was derailed by the Covid pandemic.
“Because of the age of the case, I’m going to move as quickly as possible,” Judge Taylor said.
“Everyone needs a resolution of this case,” he added, including the public in that assessment.
Bilinkas, who is still waiting for expert testimony from a psychologist, expects to call 30 witnesses at trial, while Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn said he won’t call that many. Both lawyers expect the trial to take several weeks.
Barisone, who coached a member of the 2016 U.S. Olympic dressage bronze medal team, was a prominent figure in the discipline. His case has drawn widespread attention; a team from the CBS show, “48 Hours,” was in court to videotape the proceedings.