As loved ones of Kent State University student Christopher Kernich grieve his death, the mother of one of his accused killers says she too feels their pain.
"It just made me sick to my stomach really," said Barb Barker, struggling to hold back tears while sitting at her dining room table.
Barker's 21-year-old son, Adrian Barker, is one of two University of Akron students being held in the beating death of Kernich.
"I pray for the family everyday," she told I-Team Reporter Lorrie Taylor, "I am at a loss for words because Adrian has never been in any kind of trouble."
A search of public records support Mrs. Barker's claim. A table covered by certificates indicates an academic career full of achievement, including participation in soccer and tennis.
"I think his concern is, more so for the family of the victim, cause he, Adrian would not harm a fly" she said, speaking of her son.
Barker is a stay at home mom. Her husband is an executive in Information Technology at a local company. The couple raised their two sons on a quiet street in Shaker Heights.
"We can't figure it out, why this happened," Barker says.
Kent Police say Adrian Barker and 20-year old Ronald Kelly attacked Kernich and two others last week after an argument on the city's Main Street. Kernich was severely beaten and later died.
"It's amazing to see how many people loved him," said Kernich's friend, Chelsea Groom.
Sara Syroka, another friend of Kernich's from Kent State said "He was a great friend and a great person with a great heart."
"My heart goes out to their family," said Barker. She claims she hasn't slept since learning of Kernich's passing. She told Taylor she and her husband always taught their sons to walk away from trouble. On a recent visit to the Portage County Jail where her son is being housed, Mrs. Barker says he assured her the truth will come out. "Adrian hugged me and he told me on Monday, Mom, everything will be okay, I've just been in the wrong place at the wrong time.."
Both Adrian Barker and Kelly have been charged with felonious assault. The Prosecutor has indicated he will be seeking more serious charges now that Kernich's has died. "He's not a child to hurt anyone," Barker said of her son. She's hoping the facts ultimately prove her right.
"It just made me sick to my stomach really," said Barb Barker, struggling to hold back tears while sitting at her dining room table.
Barker's 21-year-old son, Adrian Barker, is one of two University of Akron students being held in the beating death of Kernich.
"I pray for the family everyday," she told I-Team Reporter Lorrie Taylor, "I am at a loss for words because Adrian has never been in any kind of trouble."
A search of public records support Mrs. Barker's claim. A table covered by certificates indicates an academic career full of achievement, including participation in soccer and tennis.
"I think his concern is, more so for the family of the victim, cause he, Adrian would not harm a fly" she said, speaking of her son.
Barker is a stay at home mom. Her husband is an executive in Information Technology at a local company. The couple raised their two sons on a quiet street in Shaker Heights.
"We can't figure it out, why this happened," Barker says.
Kent Police say Adrian Barker and 20-year old Ronald Kelly attacked Kernich and two others last week after an argument on the city's Main Street. Kernich was severely beaten and later died.
"It's amazing to see how many people loved him," said Kernich's friend, Chelsea Groom.
Sara Syroka, another friend of Kernich's from Kent State said "He was a great friend and a great person with a great heart."
"My heart goes out to their family," said Barker. She claims she hasn't slept since learning of Kernich's passing. She told Taylor she and her husband always taught their sons to walk away from trouble. On a recent visit to the Portage County Jail where her son is being housed, Mrs. Barker says he assured her the truth will come out. "Adrian hugged me and he told me on Monday, Mom, everything will be okay, I've just been in the wrong place at the wrong time.."
Both Adrian Barker and Kelly have been charged with felonious assault. The Prosecutor has indicated he will be seeking more serious charges now that Kernich's has died. "He's not a child to hurt anyone," Barker said of her son. She's hoping the facts ultimately prove her right.
