Travis Barker
One of three individuals charged in the 2021 death of a Salem man has agreed to a plea bargain. Twenty-one-year-old Travis Barker of Jefferson City, Mo., entered a guilty plea to a charge of first-degree murder on July 25 and was sentenced to 30 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. He will receive credit for the 432 days he has been incarcerated since his arrest.
Barker and 20-year-old Jacoby Goehler of Salem had both been charged with first-degree murder in the death of 19-year-old Davidlee Stansbury in April of last year. Goehler’s mother, 41-year-old Jennifer Harnden of Salem, is charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Stansbury was last seen alive being picked up by a light-colored pickup truck at his house around 4 a.m. on the morning of April 23, 2021, and was reported missing that evening after he failed to return home. Stansbury’s father told authorities that Stansbury had received a phone call and several electronic messages from Goehler asking for help in moving a trailer in Viola.
Stansbury’s body was located three days later a half-mile west of Republican Road in northern Fulton County.
On the evening of Stansbury’s last sighting, law enforcement received a call from a military noncommissioned officer reporting Goehler had called him stating he had killed someone and wanted a military attorney. Goehler’s wife was interviewed, and she told authorities Goehler had allegedly told her he had killed Stansbury for a rape he believed Stansbury had committed.
On April 26 of that year, Barker was interviewed in Jefferson City and reportedly told authorities that Goehler showed him a text that he had received from his mother about wanting to kill Stansbury for the alleged rape of a relative.
On May 14, 2021, an inmate at the Fulton County Jail told authorities that Goehler had been bragging about killing Stansbury, and Barker had been involved.
A week later, authorities learned Barker was visiting Salem and was re-interviewed by law enforcement. Barker reportedly told authorities that Goehler said he knew Stansbury had raped his family member, and Goehler had been talking for a month that he was going to kill Stansbury.
Barker told authorities Goehler had asked him about a hatchet, and he instead gave Goehler a 9mm pistol because he thought “it would be less painful and quick.” Barker reportedly told Goehler about the property he used to live on off Republican Road and suggested that location for the killing because it was desolate and not very well traveled.
While driving from Jefferson City to Salem, Barker said Goehler texted Stansbury on Snapchat asking for his help with a drug deal.
Barker was reportedly dropped off at the location off Republican Road and hid in the barn while Goehler picked Stansbury up. When Goehler and Stansbury arrived at the property, Barker said as Goehler and Stansbury exited Goehler’s pickup, Goehler grabbed the pistol and racked it.
Goehler and Barker then allegedly walked Stansbury into the woods. Barker told authorities Stansbury was asked multiple times about the alleged rape but denied it. Goehler then allegedly pulled the pistol out of his waistband, shooting Stansbury in the hand. Goehler then allegedly shot Stansbury twice in the head.
On the way back to Jefferson City, Barker said he disassembled the pistol and threw the parts out at different locations along the way. The two also allegedly burned the gloves they were wearing and told Harnden what had happened.
In June of last year, Goehler picked up additional felony charges after allegedly planning an escape plot. He was charged with first-degree criminal attempt to escape and eight counts of possession of weapons by an incarcerated person.
Last month, it was determined after evaluation Goehler is mentally fit to proceed with his trial. He and Harnden both have pretrial hearings set for Sept. 1, and they’re scheduled to go on trial Oct. 19.
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