Marine Charged with Attempted Murder Following Incident in Emery County

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Shortly after 7 p.m. on Monday, deputies responded to the Chevron Station in Green River. There, officers made contact with 20-year-old female who had visible marks on her neck and a bleeding hand.

According to the Emery County Sheriff’s Office, witnesses at the scene stated they observed a struggle in a couple’s vehicle and that the man appeared to be choking a woman. Witnesses approached the vehicle, opened the door and asked what was going on. At that point, the male subject exited the vehicle and left the parking lot on foot, crossing the railroad tracks.

Deputies were unable to locate the suspect that night. A reverse 911 call was sent out to Green River residents giving a description of the suspect, 22-year-old Robert Matthew Barney.

According to the sheriff’s office, the victim refused medical treatment and chose to continue on to Colorado on her own. Detectives are in contact with her.

On Tuesday morning, Green River Medical Center called dispatch and stated a subject matching Barney’s description was in their clinic but was not seeking medical attention. Deputies arrived on scene and questioned Barney. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Emery County Jail on charges of aggravated assault.

After further investigation and based on statements made by Barney, investigators presented their findings to the Emery County Attorney’s Office, who have now charged Barney with attempted homicide, a first degree felony.

Barney is currently being held on no bail.

According to the sheriff’s office, the couple had been on a road trip and were on their way back to Colorado at the time of the incident. The suspect is from California, but is based in Maryland as a Marine. The victim is from Colorado.

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