A Fernley woman who claimed she shot her ex-husband in self-defense appeared in the Third
Judicial District Court in Yerington on Aug. 4. Jaime Barber entered a plea of not guilty to a
single count of open murder with the use of a deadly weapon.
Judge Leon Aberasturi read the charges against Barber, alleging that on or about Aug. 26, 2023,
Barber did willfully, unlawfully, feloniously, and with malice aforethought, deliberation, and
premeditation, kill and murder Austyn Barber with a deadly weapon, namely a firearm, by
shooting him in the chest at or near 1680 Andy Way in Fernley.
Barber, who was 44 at the time of the shooting, was arrested on Aug. 26, 2023. According to the
Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and medical personnel were dispatched at 6:17 p.m. to
Jaime Barber’s home. Barber told deputies that her husband, Austyn Barber, had broken into her
home and attacked her, and that she had shot him and fled to a neighbor’s house.
Austyn Barber suffered a single gunshot wound to his chest, and life-saving efforts were
unsuccessful.
Deputies from the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office investigations division, along with Washoe
County Sheriff’s Office forensic investigators, responded to the scene to investigate. They
determined that Austyn and Jaime, although going through a divorce, were still married and that
both had a legal right to be inside the home.
At the time, Sheriff Brad Pope said there was no evidence that would lead a reasonable person to
believe that Jaime was attacked or that her life was being threatened in a manner that justified the
use of deadly force. Jaime was arrested and booked into the Lyon County Jail.
However, Jaime Barber was released from jail on Aug. 30, 2023, after the District Attorney’s
Office notified the Canal Township Justice Court that it would not be filing charges within 72
hours.
District Attorney Steve Rye said the DA’s Office made the decision not to file the complaint
within 72 hours to allow additional time for evidence and reports to be received before making a
final charging decision.
Barber was rearrested in February 2025 on the charge of open murder.
In Monday’s hearing, Judge Aberasturi said the charge of open murder carries a multitude of
sentencing possibilities. He said if the jury were to return a verdict of guilty of first-degree
murder, it would carry possible sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole, life
with the possibility of parole after 20 years, or a definite term of 50 years with the possibility of
parole after 20 years.
The judge said if the jury found her guilty of second-degree murder, the two possible sentences
are life with the possibility of parole after 20 years or a definite term of 25 years with the
possibility of parole after 10 years.
In addition, he said that for the enhancement for the use of a deadly weapon, the court must
impose a consecutive sentence of not less than one year and up to 20 years in prison.
“The court cannot grant probation if you’re found guilty of murder,” Aberasturi said.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Brian Haslem said the state is not seeking the death penalty in the
case.
After Barber entered her plea of not guilty, Aberasturi said he would issue a scheduling order
after the attorneys meet.
When Aberasturi asked if bail had previously been set, Davies said Barber had been released on
her own recognizance. With no other motions before the court, Aberasturi said the previously set
conditions would remain in place.
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