Corey Lamont Holiday for Self and OBO Vulnerable Adult v. Kia Angel Barnes

Minneapolis, Minnesota harassment restraining order law lawyers represented the parties.

Kia Barnes and Corey Holiday met in June 2022 and entered into an agreement concerning the repair and sale of Barnes's car to a third party. For reasons not apparent in the record, the business relationship soured, and the two engaged in conduct that led them each to petition the district court to issue a harassment restraining order (HRO) against the other. After a scheduling hearing, Holiday alerted the district court referee assigned to the case that she may have previously represented him. The referee later recused herself.



The district court held a hearing on both petitions. After receiving testimony and evidence, the district court issued an HRO effective until August 2025, prohibiting Barnes from harassing or having any contact with Holiday and from being within a quarter mile of Holiday's home. The district court also issued an HRO against Holiday, the validity of which is being decided by this court in a separate appeal. Among other circumstances on which the district court based the HRO against Barnes, it found that Barnes had posted negative messages about Holiday on social media, including a potentially life-threatening message that identified Holiday as a "snitch" who provided information to police about gang members. It also found that Barnes had sent a man to Holiday's house to threaten him, warning that "things will get real ugly" if Holiday did not pay Barnes more money for the car that was the subject of their business dealing. Holiday testified credibly to the district court that these circumstances put him in fear for his well-being. Barnes appeals from the HRO issued against her.