University of Miami linebacker Marlin Barnes and his friend, Timwanika Lumpkins, are murdered on campus in 1996, shocking the community. Originally Aired: 02/22/24 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Chapter 1: Who were Marlon Barnes and Timwanika Lumpkins?
He got his grades. He got the score when he took the exam. Because of his athletic ability, he was offered the scholarship to play at the University of Miami. Marlon was the first child in our family, period. to go to college. You know, everybody was proud and he was the happiest kid on earth. Marlon grew up with Earl Little.
They met, I think, when they were like maybe in second grade and they were best friends. They were like inseparable. The plan was that Earl and Marlon were going to go to University of Miami together.
That was like a dream come true when Earl and Marlon went to UM and I came at the same time.
UM used to be referred to as Suntan U. We're the Hurricanes, but we just call ourselves the Canes for short. UM is always in the public eye because of the money and the lifestyle and the year-round summer, especially now with social media and TikTok stars like Alex Earl. We do this for the U, and it's very, very specific that you have to go like this.
You are going to see every single Kane at a football game. And a lot of times, these once underprivileged kids will find themselves becoming public figures and almost superstars to a degree at UM. UM actually plays at the Hard Rock Stadium, which is very much well known for being the home of the Miami Dolphins, an NFL team.
It is a tradition to schlep up over to the Hard Rock Stadium, and everybody is decked out in cane gear, in orange and green.
Marlon Barnes was a very well-known linebacker. And that stop made my Marlon Barnes.
Marlon met Ray Lewis when he came to play at the University of Miami.
In his third year, Marlon, Earl, Ray Lewis, and another young man lived in one of the housing complexes on the UM campus. Marlon was working towards getting his liberal arts and science degree. I would go over to the University of Miami to watch him practice. And then after practice, we would, you know, spend a little time together and talk.
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Chapter 2: What happened on the night of April 12th, 1996?
LeBron believed that Tim Wanika had gone to stay with Marlon.
It's Marlon, Marlon, Marlon, and he's lost control of himself. He went to Salvation for that party. I think he waited for Marlon to come out. He just couldn't control himself. He slashed the tires. He followed the tow truck and he sees the car, sees the building they get into. So he brought that shotgun. He knew they were on the third floor.
When LeBron got inside, when the shotgun did not work, he was so committed to ending both Tim Winicka and Marlon's lives that night that he brutally beat their faces in with the butt of the shotgun so badly that he broke it.
For my son or my children to help other people in an abusive relationship, that was like, it was the norm for them to do that because that's how they grew up. When I was told that he moved her to get her out of the abusive relationship, I was not surprised because I had done the same thing. for someone years before.
In the media coverage, it was portrayed as though Marlon and Temonika were a couple behind LeBrant's back. They were friends, and he was lending a helping hand to someone that asked him for help. He did exactly what I would have done. And with that being said, he lost his life for it.
On May 8th, LeBron Dennis was indicted for two counts of first-degree murder, one count of burglary, assault and battery while armed, and criminal mischief. The district attorney determined that the murder of Marlon Barnes and Timwanika Lumpkins was absolutely premeditated. LeBron Dennis contacted Joseph about retrieving a gun on April 7th, which was days prior to the murder taking place.
That was a very, very painful time for my family and me.
When I did meet with Charlie, she was very, very upset. I told her, you know, we were gonna have the best lawyers, the best witnesses, but no matter what happens to him, Marlon is still gone.
LeBrent Dennis took a lot from me. Not only did he take my son, but he took the life out of me for a very long time. And LeBrent Dennis needs to pay for that. The trial started. I was there every single day. My family was there every day.
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