VIDEO: "He Refused Treatment and Said He Could Handle His Issues on His Own," Says Friend of Tony Barrett

When you care for a murder defendant and the victim equally, it can be hard to decipher the complicated feelings that come from watching the scene play out from behind glass in a courtroom.

Sara and Tony Barrett were married for over 20 years and have three children between them. When Tony Barrett both families gave a unified front.

"It's one big family, not two seperate families. And we will always be that way," said Jeremiah Spinharny, Barrett family spokesman and Tony's cousin. (Watch his public statement in the attached Patch Clip).

Spinharny declined to comment about Barrett's mental state or anger issues before Sara's death, but family friend Jenifer Hall told media outside the courtroom that 42-year-old Barrett was a "character," and "refused treatment, said he could handle his issues on his own." (See Hall's full statement in the attached Patch Clip).

Hall said his demeanor in court--holding a piece of paper over his face--was "disheartening."

So was the Burger King surveillance footage logged into evidence that allegedly shows Barrett dragging Sara through the restaurant parking lot.

"That area is so busy... it's so disheartening that so many people turned their cheek to what was going on," said Hall. "A phone call to police could have saved her life."

--

RELATED COVERAGE

Man Pleads Not Guilty to Smothering Wife of 28 Years to Death in Tacoma Motel