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Texas murder suspects tried hiding out in home Pair await extradition request; Medford woman, children safe By SARAH LEMON Dusty Garcia said she had no idea the two travelers who had spent a week playing with her three young children were wanted for murder in Texas. If the Oakdale Avenue resident had known, she never would have let them in her Medford home, she said Saturday. Joshua James Barlow, 27, and Stephanie Ann Martin (aka Welch), 28, were arrested by a Medford police SWAT team at Garcia's downtown home late Friday. Texas warrants charge both suspects with felony first-degree murder for the Aug. 13 killing of William Franklin Norris in Texarkana. Garcia said she met Barlow, who used the name "Chase," at a bar in Texas in June. She told him that if he was ever in Oregon, to look her up. He took her up on the invitation, showing up on her doorstep Monday with Martin and asking for a place to stay while on the way to visit his sick mother, Garcia said. Martin was also using an alias - "Karen." Police say that Barlow robbed and shot Norris, whose body was found Aug. 14 about 80 yards inside the Texas state line near the Red River in Bowie County. Norris had been shot in the head and was stripped to his underwear, police said. A fisherman reported the discovery of Norris' body lying on his back next to his car about 100 feet from the water's edge, police told the Texarkana Gazette earlier this month. Garcia said Barlow doesn't seem like the type who would be charged with murder. He had water fights with her kids while he was staying in her home, was respectful and picked up after himself. "I really have a hard time believing he did what they're accusing him of," she said. Texas investigators said they believe Martin was Norris' girlfriend, but that she also was involved with Barlow at the same time. Norris was a father of three who was separated from his wife, according to the Texarkana Gazette. Police on Saturday would not disclose Martin's involvement in the crime. They allege that she was present when Norris was shot at the Red River, said Ann Birdwell, a Bowie County investigator. The Bowie County Sheriff's Department alerted Medford police Thursday that the suspects were believed to be in the area, said Medford Police Lt. Mike Moran. After surveying the scene Friday afternoon, the special weapons and tactics team arrested Barlow and Martin at Garcia's Oakdale home around 10:15 p.m. Friday. Officers forced their way into the home and evacuated Garcia, her three children, three other adults and another young child, Moran said. Garcia said Barlow and Martin were asleep in the back bedroom when police entered the house. Most of the home's other occupants were handcuffed and weren't told what was going on until 45 minutes later, she said. The children were very scared, she added. Police escorted the children, all but the youngest who wouldn't leave his mother, to a neighbor's house, Garcia said. Arrest details provided by Garcia could not be confirmed with police late Saturday. Garcia, the other three adults and children were interviewed by police but were determined not to be involved, Moran said. Investigators searched Garcia's home Friday night and seized some unidentified items they will hold for Texas authorities, Moran said. Police looked Friday night for evidence connecting Barlow and Martin to the crime, including property believed to have been stolen from Norris, said Moran. Medford police were continuing to assist Bowie County in the investigation Saturday. Barlow and Martin were lodged in Jackson County Jail without bail and are awaiting interviews with Texas authorities. Barlow also has a Texas warrant charging him with parole violation. A bail hearing is set for Monday to determine if the suspects will be extradited to Texas. If they refuse extradition, Texas authorities will seek a governor's warrant to bring the two back to the Lone Star state, said Birdwell. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.