Mistrial in case of Frederick man charged with impersonating officer, rape

A judge has declared a mistrial in the case of a Frederick man accused of raping a woman while impersonating a police officer.

Washington County prosecutors say they will retry 37-year-old Michael Barnwell, who's serving a three-year prison term on an unrelated assault conviction.

In the rape case, a woman testified that Barnwell pulled her over and said he was a police officer. The woman said Barnwell ordered her into his vehicle, then forced her to have sex with him.

The woman identified Barnwell from a photo lineup. There was no DNA or forensic evidence directly tying him to the alleged assault.

Jurors sent several notes to Judge John McDowell on Wednesday before he declared a mistrial, including one that said a juror was “having some difficulty” and wanted to leave the jury room.

-- The Herald-Mail