A Baltimore judge ordered the man accused of killing former Loyola University Maryland basketball standout Jamal Barney to serve a life sentence, plus three years, in prison.

Barney’s roommate, Dayrel McFarland, pleaded guilty in March to first-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon for the 2023 killing. He was sentenced June 16 by Baltimore Circuit Judge LaZette Ringgold-Kirksey.

Police and prosecutors said the 28-year-old man, who initially denied the killing, fatally struck Barney in the head with a cinder block and hid the basketball star’s body in a vacant West Baltimore house. In a statement, Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates called the killing “exceedingly cruel and brutal” and said he hopes the life sentence “brings a measure of justice for the senseless and tragic loss” of Barney. The two-time Baltimore Sun All-Metro pick from Southwestern High School had been reported missing by loved ones, who received anonymous messages claiming that a suspect known as “Little D” had struck Barney with a cinder block and hidden his body in a vacant home.

Baltimore Police later found Barney dead in a Midtown-Edmondson home, where his body was located in an “advanced stage of decomposition,” Bates’ office said. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide, caused by blunt-force trauma to the head, and identified Barney through his tattoos.

A witness later came forward and told police that McFarland had admitted to killing his roommate. He was arrested in March 2024 and charged with murder.

Former Greyhounds, including former basketball coach Jimmy Patsos, reeled from Barney’s death, which came just a few years after a fellow Loyola recruit from the city, Gerald Brown III, was fatally shot in Northwest Baltimore.

Patsos credited both of the local stars with ushering in a new era of Loyola recruiting local talent, calling Barney the university’s “spokesman” in city basketball players.

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