Joanne Johnson, 93, murdered in her Augusta, Kansas home, September 2023

[GRT]

I don't think the girls are sisters, but I wonder if they were both living in the same house from the way the reporter quotes the father...

It could just be poor reporting.

The father of those girls said he had no idea his daughter was involved and still doesn't believe it.

The father said that since that day, his daughter and the other girl have been up in their rooms.

 

[SMK777]

I don't think the girls are sisters, but I wonder if they were both living in the same house from the way the reporter quotes the father...

It could just be poor reporting.

Yes, it’s confusing. At first it sounds like they’re sisters, but the second statement negates that.

 

[acehard]

I don't think the girls are sisters, but I wonder if they were both living in the same house from the way the reporter quotes the father...

It could just be poor reporting.

It says she was walking with her friend in the park when they were "coerced". They're also the same age. Most likely they're not sisters.

So the police had enough evidence to physically put them at the scene and arrest them with Murder-1. The girls admitted to being there and witnessing. I wonder if something was stolen. IMO

 

[Chimera]

It says she was walking with her friend in the park when they were "coerced". They're also the same age. Most likely they're not sisters.

So the police had enough evidence to physically put them at the scene and arrest them with Murder-1. The girls admitted to being there and witnessing. I wonder if something was stolen. IMO

Bbm.
Good question.
Such a brutal, heinous act.
What a painful death for this vulnerable lady.
And it wasn't instant.
She may have begged them to stop or pled for her life ?

I don't think the girls are sisters, but I wonder if they were both living in the same house from the way the reporter quotes the father...

It could just be poor reporting.

Thanks for the link.

From that link :
He said his daughter said she and her friend were walking in a park on the day of the murder when a white man came up to them and "coerced" them into going to Johnson's home. She said the man grabbed a rusty axe from Johnson's garage and beat Johnson to death.

Holy cow.
I'm not buying that a white man walked up to them and coerced them into this brutal crime.
Nope.
I get wanting to protect your kid, however... their excuse is ridiculous; imo.
Omo.

 

[mickey2942]

Bbm.
Good question.
Such a brutal, heinous act.
What a painful death for this vulnerable lady.
And it wasn't instant.
She may have begged them to stop or pled for her life ?


Thanks for the link.

From that link :
He said his daughter said she and her friend were walking in a park on the day of the murder when a white man came up to them and "coerced" them into going to Johnson's home. She said the man grabbed a rusty axe from Johnson's garage and beat Johnson to death.

Holy cow.
I'm not buying that a white man walked up to them and coerced them into this brutal crime.
Nope.
I get wanting to protect your kid, however... their excuse is ridiculous; imo.
Omo.

Did he have red hair? This story has shades of "Carleee Russell" faux kidnapping.

 

[Seattle1]

The girls appeared befor a judge, but they haven't been charged yet.

https://www.ksn.com/news/crime/teens-arrested-in-augusta-womans-death-appear-in-court/

From the quoted MSM link:

The county attorney told KSN News that the girls have not been charged yet. Their first appearance is scheduled for Aug. 29.

 

[acehard]

From the quoted MSM link:

The county attorney told KSN News that the girls have not been charged yet. Their first appearance is scheduled for Aug. 29.

Yes but when they were arrested, it said they were arrested for 1st degree murder. I think they're trying to figure out if they can be charged as adults or something, so they're formally not charged yet. IMO

 

[Seattle1]

Yes but when they were arrested, it said they were arrested for 1st degree murder. I think they're trying to figure out if they can be charged as adults or something, so they're formally not charged yet. IMO

Update: Revised KS Statute prevents the girls from being charged as adults...

Girls Cant Be Charged As Adults

Each state is different on how they arrest juveniles. IMO, the next hearing (on 8/29) will likely be in district court where they will be charged as adults:

The “First Appearance” Docket begins at 1:00 PM

The “First Appearance” Docket is also called the “Arraignment” Docket. When you appear on this docket you will be called by the Judge to approach the lectern and make your initial plea. You will be given the opportunity to advise of retained counsel, request additional time to retain counsel, request appointed counsel, speak with the prosecutor, or request a trial. The Judge is not able to give you legal advice.

a) A “not guilty” plea means you do not believe you have violated the
Ordinance with which you have been charged. Your case will then
be set for hearing at a later date.
b) A “no contest” plea means you do not contest the charges against
you. The court is then required to adjudge you “guilty”.
c) A “guilty” plea means you admit you did what you are accused of
doing.

Welcome to Augusta KS

www.augustaks.org

ETA: Add Butler County Court link

District Court | Butler County, KS - Official Website

Obtain information about the 13th Judicial District Court.

www.bucoks.com

 

[Seattle1]

The juvenile shall be presumed to be a juvenile, and the presumption must be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence. No juvenile less than 14 years of age shall be prosecuted as an adult.

Statute | Kansas State Legislature

kslegislature.org

 

[Seattle1]

Yes but when they were arrested, it said they were arrested for 1st degree murder. I think they're trying to figure out if they can be charged as adults or something, so they're formally not charged yet. IMO

Unfortunately, the suspects are age barred from being prosecuted as adults per KS Statute.

 

[SMK777]

I’m surprised that the state of Kansas would have that legislature and statute, but it is what it is. It’s still an extremely serious charge and will certainly be dealt with seriously, presumably.

 

[PaulaDC]

The old "boogeyman in the woods" story again.......

 

[mpnola]

I don't think the girls are sisters, but I wonder if they were both living in the same house from the way the reporter quotes the father...

It could just be poor reporting.

Yes, this is what I was referring to, as well. I don't know if it was a foster child as the second or just a friend with a troubled.home staying with them or bad reporting. But several things made it sound like both lived in 1 house.

 

[Inthedetails]

Yes, this is what I was referring to, as well. I don't know if it was a foster child as the second or just a friend with a troubled.home staying with them or bad reporting. But several things made it sound like both lived in 1 house.

Cousins?

idk

jmo

 

[acehard]

I thought there might be exceptions, but it seems pretty clear. In California, it's below 16. Varies by state quite a bit. Well I guess this case will be sealed and the max sentence they can get is till they turn 22.5. We may not know any details as they don't have any incentive to tell the truth. IMO

 

[GoBuckeyes]

I’m surprised that the state of Kansas would have that legislature and statute, but it is what it is. It’s still an extremely serious charge and will certainly be dealt with seriously, presumably.

IIRC, that's a fairly new statute, wherein they set the age at 14. It is disappointing, particularly in this case. I agree.

 

[arielilane]

I am just now reading about the horrific murder of Mrs. Johnson. Unbelievably sad.

-- Not buying into the man/park story. Makes no sense. moo
May justice be served.



Tim Johnson remembers his mother as a kind person and an exemplary member of her community.

'She was the the type of person who was always interested in other people...She would talk to you for a couple minutes and she’d know where you’re from, where you went to school, what you were doing and what you wanted to do,' he told KWHC.

'The next time she’d talk to you she’d remember every one of those things, you know, the type of person a lot of us aspire to be, I know I do.'

Shocking arrest in brutal murder of 93-year-old Kansas woman

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has made a shocking arrest in connection with the brutal murder of a 93-year-old Kansas woman, who was discovered dead in her home in September 2023.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Seattle1]

I thought there might be exceptions, but it seems pretty clear. In California, it's below 16. Varies by state quite a bit. Well I guess this case will be sealed and the max sentence they can get is till they turn 22.5. We may not know any details as they don't have any incentive to tell the truth. IMO

Following another juvenile murder in WI where the legislature went the complete opposite. -- In Wisconsin, they first charge a juvenile offender as young as age 10 accused of murder, in Adult court. From here, the juvenile offender has to petition they do not deserve to be tried as an adult, and prove to the Court their case should be sent to juvenile court. This is the opposite of the majority of states where juveniles first begin in juvenile court based on age at time of arrest and not the criminal offense. MOO

 

[acehard]

Following another juvenile murder in WI where the legislature went the complete opposite. -- In Wisconsin, they first charge a juvenile offender as young as age 10 accused of murder, in Adult court. From here, the juvenile offender has to petition they do not deserve to be tried as an adult, and prove to the Court their case should be sent to juvenile court. This is the opposite of the majority of states where juveniles first begin in juvenile court based on age at time of arrest and not the criminal offense. MOO

Wow that's a big difference!

 

[Seattle1]

Following another juvenile murder in WI where the legislature went the complete opposite. -- In Wisconsin, they first charge a juvenile offender as young as age 10 accused of murder, in Adult court. From here, the juvenile offender has to petition they do not deserve to be tried as an adult, and prove to the Court their case should be sent to juvenile court. This is the opposite of the majority of states where juveniles first begin in juvenile court based on age at time of arrest and not the criminal offense. MOO

I got the wording wrong here. It's not called a 'petition' but a defendant's right to a "reverse waiver hearing" to send a juvenile accused of murder from adult court to juvenile jurisdiction. Here, the juvenile bears the burden of proof to show they do not belong in adult court.

Wisconsin Legislature: 970.05(2)(c)

docs.legis.wisconsin.gov