Police: Victim's Murder Suspect Is Niece

DULUTH - There is another twist in the Stoney Brook Township murder case.  The prime suspect and the victim are a lot closer than originally thought. The St. Louis County Attorney's office says 21-year-old Lydia Barney, who's charged with the murder, is the niece to the victim. Barney is facing second-degree murder charges for the death of her aunt, Waubunoquay Randall, 31.Police say when they found Randall, there were lacerations to her neck that severed her carotid artery and jugular vein -- causing fatal blood loss. They also found bloody footprints surrounding the body, a knife in the sink, and a bleach-stained bathroom that police believe was cleaned in attempt to conceal evidence. Barney says she remembers being at her aunt’s home, taking Klonopin, then leaving. When she left, she remembers everyone being fine and no blood, according to the criminal complaint.Friday, Barney made her first appearance in court. The judge said because of her criminal past, Barney is not eligible for any pre-trial release programs.  Bail was set at $500,000."Just looking at other people similarly situated, the severity of the offence, the type of charge that it is, the states concerns are for flight and reappearance,” explained assistant St. Louis County Attorney, Jessica Fralich. “$500,000 is representative of that.” In court, the state argued that while Barney’s home address is in the area, she has connections to people in the Twin Cities and often goes there for long periods of time. Court records show Barney has a lengthy criminal past.  She's been convicted of stealing multiple times, obstruction of the legal process, giving an officer false information, and also has a prior felony for theft.Barney is being held at the St. Louis County Jail and will be in court Nov. 14.