Daniel Barrett Sentenced to Life in Prison for Violent Murder of Wife Mary Barrett
HARRISBURG—Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced that Daniel Barrett of Plymouth, Pa., has pleaded guilty to the violent murder of his wife, Mary Barrett, in their home last January, and has been sentenced to life in prison.
“Today, Daniel Barrett pled guilty to the horrific murder of his wife, and was sentenced to life in prison for his unthinkable crimes. I grieve for her loved ones and hope this helps bring some justice and closure for this terrible loss.”
Following Barrett’s confession to police on January 11, 2021, officers from the Plymouth Police Department secured a warrant and entered Barrett’s home to find the body of Mary Barrett in the basement clearly deceased and covered with a sheet.
The defendant told investigators that following an argument with his wife, he proceeded to repeatedly strike her with a blunt force object, stabbed her, and dragged her into the basement.  He also told investigators that friends began reaching out to check on Mary, and he communicated with them through his wife’s Facebook account as if she was still alive. He said he waited two days before ultimately deciding to turn himself into law enforcement.
Barrett has pleaded guilty to First Degree Murder before President Judge Michael T. Vough in Luzerne County. The case was referred to the Office of Attorney General by the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office. The investigation was led by Plymouth Police Department and Detective Lehman from the Luzerne County District Attorney’s office, and is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Angela Sperrazza and Senior Deputy Attorney General Michelle Hardik.
Reports of domestic abuse should be reported to the national hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
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