UNION COUNTY -- The man accused of killing Union County teen, Phylicia Barnes, will stand trial a third time for her death. A Baltimore Grand Jury indicted Michael Johnson Monday. Prosecutors announced they will continue to pursue the case, just weeks after a judge declared a second mistrial.

Michael Johnson will go before a judge for a third time, charged in the death of Union County teenager, Phylicia Barnes. A judge has already declared a mistrial two separate times, but the Baltimore City State's Attorney says the evidence shows otherwise.

"We respectfully disagree with the court,” said Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby. “I can say we are placing this case, and bringing it back to where the judge initially granted that mistrial. We would be entitled to pursue these charges against the defendant."

Mosby wouldn't discuss the evidence that led prosecutors to reopen the Barnes case again, but said a third grand jury found enough to formally indict Johnson.

"This is not double jeopardy,” said Mosby. “What we're doing is essentially placing this case in the posture it was at the moment the judge declared the mistrial."

Barnes, 16, went missing in December of 2010 while visiting family in Baltimore. Her body was found months later in a Maryland river. Johnson was the last one to see her alive.

"There's no doubt in our, no doubt in my mind that Michael Johnson did murder Phylicia," said Phylicia’s father, Russell Barnes.

Barnes family and friends have waited for years for justice in her death. Her father says they won't give up.

"When you have a murder like this in your family, you have to go all the way," said Barnes.

 Johnson wasn't arrested for the latest indictment, instead served a summons to appear. He’s scheduled to be in court Feb, 26.

                                                            Case timeline:      

  • Barnes was in Baltimore to visit her sister in December of 2010 when she disappeared. Her body was found several months later in the Susquehanna River.
  • Johnson, who was an ex-boyfriend of Barnes’ sister, is the last person known to have seen her alive. In 2013, Johnson was convicted of second-degree murder in connection with her death.          
  • However, he was given a new trial after it was revealed that prosecutors witheld information about a witness.          
  • Following a second indictment, Johnson was released from jail a few weeks ago following another trial.
  • He was again charged with second-degree murder, but a judge declared a mistrial.