Convicted Felon Released from Custody by Court in February Charged with Multiple Murders
District Attorney Tim Ward has announced murder charges against Tulare County resident Barry Dantzler, age 30, in the deaths of two Tulare County women in separate incidents on May 26 and May 29, 2020.
Dantzler is charged with two counts of murder. Count 1 is enhanced with special circumstances that the murder was committed during the commission of a robbery and that multiple murders were committed, and special allegations that the murder was committed during the commission of a burglary, use of a deadly weapon, that he was on parole for a serious or violent felony, and that he possesses prior strikes. Count 2 is enhanced with special allegations that he was on parole for a serious or violent felony, and that he possesses prior strikes.
Dantzler possesses prior strikes for criminal threats (2011) and three attempted robberies (2013) which also included being a felon in possession of ammunition, and a firearm. Dantzler was sentenced to nine years in state prison for both cases and released on parole in 2018. Shortly after being released, Dantzler committed another felony offense and failed to appear at his June 2019 sentencing. In August of that year, Dantzler was charged with felony evading and hit and run causing injury.
After being in custody since August 2019, Dantzler pleaded no contest to the felony evading and hit and run causing injury charges on February 25, 2020. At the plea, Dantzler requested a Cruz Waiver over the objection of the prosecutor. The court granted the waiver, which allows the defendant to leave custody until time of sentencing on the condition that the court can change the indicated sentence if the defendant fails to appear at sentencing. In this case, Dantzler was facing an indicated term of 3 years, 4 months in prison.
At the time of the murders, Dantzler was considered a parolee-at-large and was in violation of his Cruz Waiver terms, as he had not contacted parole and county probation.
“My heart breaks for the victims, their families, and their friends in this tragic series of events,” said District Attorney Tim Ward. “This office has vehemently opposed early release of violent criminals by our courts. Unfortunately, the worst-case scenario has occurred and left two families broken and a community in shock. This office will not relent in opposing early release and seeking justice for victims.”
Dantzler is scheduled to be arraigned at the county pre-trial facility this afternoon where a new court date will be set. If convicted, Dantzler faces the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Assistant District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494