December 19,  2025 - Sonora, California –– On Friday, Tuolumne County District Attorney Cassandra Jenecke announced that on December 18, 2025, a jury convicted 71-year-old Long Barn resident James West of Second-Degree Murder and Attempted Voluntary Manslaughter and found true the special allegations that he personally discharged a firearm causing the death of Joseph Barbalinardo and personally used a firearm against James Nash; additionally, they found true aggravating factors that the crimes involved acts disclosing a high degree of cruelty, viciousness, or callousness and that the victims were particularly vulnerable.

The conviction arises out of an incident that took place on April 10, 2024 where Mr. West got upset with his landlord and roommate, Joseph Barbalinardo. Mr. West confronted him in the kitchen because Mr. West didn’t appreciate that Mr. Barbalinardo would not bend to his whims.  So, he took out his concealed 9mm handgun and shot Mr. Barbalinardo in the left temple. Mr. Barbalinardo fell to the floor but did not die quickly. Mr. West did not attempt to help him, nor did he call 911. Another resident, however, did call and remained on the line for more than 25 minutes.   

About 20 minutes later, James Nash, who also lived on the property, learned of the shooting, and went to help his friend. Seeing that Mr. West was still armed and pacing inside the residence, Mr. Nash grabbed a can of bear spray hoping he could incapacitate Mr. West so he could get his friend help.  After spraying Mr. West, Mr. Nash hurried to Mr. Barbalinardo’s side. While bending to help his friend, Mr. Nash said suddenly he was looking down the barrel of a 9mm handgun being held by Mr. West. Mr. Nash managed to get his left arm up in time so that his left arm took the bullet causing massive damage to his arm which will require at least one more surgery to attempt to repair.  Mr. West fired a second round that went through Mr. Nash’s throat and struck him with a third round in the upper right arm that then went through part of his torso before skimming across his body to the other side. Mr. Nash said that he then tried to play dead so that Mr. West would not shoot him again. The sounds of that shooting could be heard on the 911 call.

Mr. West then went out onto the front porch where he unloaded the firearm and smoked until law enforcement arrived. He has been held at the Dambacher Detention Center on no bail since. Mr. West claimed that he shot both men in self-defense however the jury saw through that and held him accountable for his crimes. Sentencing is scheduled for January 21, 2026 where he faces up to 15 years 8 months for the shooting of James Nash and 40 years to life for murdering Joseph Barbalinardo.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Samantha Arnerich. The victims and their families were supported by Victim Advocate Hollie Brown. The lead investigating officer was Tuolumne County Sheriff's Sergeant Cody Stephens. 

Source: Tuolumne County District Attorney Office