Justice for Jim Barge
The tragic death of James R. Barge on May 4, 2023, has left his family and the New Castle community grappling with profound grief and a pressing demand for justice. Nearly two years after the fatal crash, the legal proceedings against the accused, Kassandra M. Clyde, have faced numerous delays, intensifying the immense grief his family is enduring.
James Barge, a 65-year-old resident of New Castle, was a dedicated pressman with a career spanning several esteemed publications, including the New Castle News, the Youngstown Vindicator, and the Wall Street Journal. At the time of his death, he was employed by the Butler Eagle and was mere weeks away from retirement, eagerly anticipating more time with his wife, Lisa, their children, and grandchildren. He was a devout man of God, proudly serving his Lord and Savior as an active member of Calvary Independent Church.
His untimely passing occurred in a head-on collision on Route 422 near the Big Butler Fairgrounds when Clyde's vehicle allegedly crossed the center line into his lane. Following the crash, Clyde was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI), with charges pending further investigation. Upon having her blood drawn at the hospital, it was found that her BAC was .243, which is more than 3x the legal limit.
Subsequent reports indicated that she had a prior DUI arrest in April 2022 and had recently completed an accelerated rehabilitative disposition program. She had requested this previous DUI to be expunged only days before taking James Barge’s life.
Despite the severity of the incident and the evidence presented, the trial has experienced 8 continuances over the past two years, leaving the Barge family without closure and the community questioning the efficiency of the legal system.
The delays in the trial and blatant disregard for the severity of the crime committed by the defendant have now led to the #JusticeforJim movement. This campaign seeks to raise awareness about the devastating consequences of impaired driving and to advocate for a more responsive and efficient judicial process. The prolonged delays only compound the suffering of those he has left behind.
The case of James Barge highlights critical issues within the legal system, particularly concerning DUI-related fatalities and the timeliness of judicial proceedings. There has been numerous documented counts of poor communication from the ADA involved with the case, an unheard of amount of allowed continuances, and a clear lack of remorse for the situation leading many to ask “Why is she not in jail yet?” - and we will not stop until we answer that very question and she is behind bars.
Let us honor James's memory by advocating for justice and working towards a future where such preventable tragedies are met with prompt and decisive legal action.