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

[CooperDyl]

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.

Interesting that the death was thought to be an “unattended death” (ie natural causes, a fall etc.) at first, was progressed to a homicide investigation and the girls’ excuse via their father is that a white man beat this poor innocent lady to death with an axe.

Could someone beaten with an axe possibly be misconstrued as having died of a fall when there would likely be impact wounds etc. that wouldn’t match up with an axe strike, particularly one supposedly perpetrated by “a white male” who would have the ability to swing the weapon with at least some force? Even a strike with the blunt side of an axe would leave an impact point dissimilar to hitting a flat surface such as a floor.
The only thing I could think of would be misidentifying an axe wound as an impact point from a sharp counter edge/corner etc.

Will be interested to hear more details, but what a horrible situation all around.

Original report that mentioned the killing progressing from an “unattended death” to homicide investigation
- Police: Woman dead in Augusta homicide

 

[Inthedetails]

Interesting that the death was thought to be an “unattended death” (ie natural causes, a fall etc.) at first, was progressed to a homicide investigation and the girls’ excuse via their father is that a white man beat this poor innocent lady to death with an axe.

Could someone beaten with an axe possibly be misconstrued as having died of a fall when there would likely be impact wounds etc. that wouldn’t match up with an axe strike, particularly one supposedly perpetrated by “a white male” who would have the ability to swing the weapon with at least some force? Even a strike with the blunt side of an axe would leave an impact point dissimilar to hitting a flat surface such as a floor.
The only thing I could think of would be misidentifying an axe wound as an impact point from a sharp counter edge/corner etc.

Will be interested to hear more details, but what a horrible situation all around.

Original report that mentioned the killing progressing from an “unattended death” to homicide investigation
- Police: Woman dead in Augusta homicide

I think "unattended death" was a place-holder of sorts. They found a woman dead in her home, not in the hospital, not under at-home medical care. I expect it was a checkbox on a preliminary form - perhaps needed to proceed to the next steps of examining the body further, not meant to be a final determination.

That's my lay-person understanding. I don't read anything mysterious into it at all.

jmo

 

[Seattle1]

Interesting that the death was thought to be an “unattended death” (ie natural causes, a fall etc.) at first, was progressed to a homicide investigation and the girls’ excuse via their father is that a white man beat this poor innocent lady to death with an axe.

Could someone beaten with an axe possibly be misconstrued as having died of a fall when there would likely be impact wounds etc. that wouldn’t match up with an axe strike, particularly one supposedly perpetrated by “a white male” who would have the ability to swing the weapon with at least some force? Even a strike with the blunt side of an axe would leave an impact point dissimilar to hitting a flat surface such as a floor.
The only thing I could think of would be misidentifying an axe wound as an impact point from a sharp counter edge/corner etc.

Will be interested to hear more details, but what a horrible situation all around.

Original report that mentioned the killing progressing from an “unattended death” to homicide investigation
- Police: Woman dead in Augusta homicide

The MSM quoted is dated 9/5/2023, and I believe poorly written.

IMO, -- also taken out of context by reporter given a welfare check for a 93 yr old could easily be first assumed a natural causes death.

However, clearly, after officers arrived, a homicide was ruled upon a preliminary investigation.

I trust the most recent statement by the victim's family, EMPHASIZING the HEINOUS NATURE OF THE CRIME together with the suspects own words citing a rusty axe used on the victim puts the act in an accurate perspective.

Make no mistake, this was indeed a brutal, heinous act. MOO

8/17/24

"The family has no words, or ability to understand what has happened," Tim further lamented in the statement given to KWCH.

The victim's family acknowledged their unfamiliarity with the young suspects, emphasizing the heinous nature of the crime and their belief in stern repercussions regardless of the culprits' ages.

^^rsbm

 

[GoBuckeyes]

Interesting that the death was thought to be an “unattended death” (ie natural causes, a fall etc.) at first, was progressed to a homicide investigation and the girls’ excuse via their father is that a white man beat this poor innocent lady to death with an axe.

Could someone beaten with an axe possibly be misconstrued as having died of a fall when there would likely be impact wounds etc. that wouldn’t match up with an axe strike, particularly one supposedly perpetrated by “a white male” who would have the ability to swing the weapon with at least some force? Even a strike with the blunt side of an axe would leave an impact point dissimilar to hitting a flat surface such as a floor.
The only thing I could think of would be misidentifying an axe wound as an impact point from a sharp counter edge/corner etc.

Will be interested to hear more details, but what a horrible situation all around.

Original report that mentioned the killing progressing from an “unattended death” to homicide investigation
- Police: Woman dead in Augusta homicide

The blunt side of an axe, could be fairly easily wielded by two, 13 year-old girls if they were so inclined. Further, it would do plenty of damage. It doesn't require an adult for that. MOO

 

[CooperDyl]

The blunt side of an axe, could be fairly easily wielded by two, 13 year-old girls if they were so inclined. Further, it would do plenty of damage. It doesn't require an adult for that. MOO

Oh definitely, what I meant was that the girls’ excuse that a “white man” struck the elderly victim with an axe would likely leave a much different imprint than an accidental fall etc.
I’m not inclined at all to believe the excuse we have heard from the girls’ father.

I am interested to hear how the two suspects were tracked down by LE after what seemed to be an extended period of investigation. I wonder if one of the girls has felt guilty and told someone, be it a parent/family member or a friend and that has somehow reached LE as a tip.

 

[GRT]

They pled not guilty. No shocker.

AUGUSTA, Kan. (KWCH) - Two 14-year-old girls charged with first-degree murder in the death of 93-year-old JoAnne Johnson appeared in court virtually on Thursday.

The Butler County Court administrator confirmed that the girls appeared before Judge Lee. They were identified only by their initials, I.H. and A.W. Both entered not-guilty pleas.

The judge denied a formal request to release the affidavit in the case.

Both girls are expected back in court on October 31 at 9 and 10:30 a.m.

2 teens plead not guilty in murder of 93-year-old Augusta woman

Two 14-year-old girls charged with first-degree murder in the death of 93-year-old JoAnne Johnson appeared in court virtually on Thursday.

www.kwch.com

 

[GRT]

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

We're supposed to believe a man took two girls to watch him kill a woman with an axe, and then he left them alive. Because everyone likes to have witnesses to their crimes.

 

[Seattle1]

As expected, Judge denied release of the AA so no details for the public until trial-- and that's only if a local reporter attends the trial, and reports from Court.

2 teens plead not guilty in murder of 93-year-old Augusta woman

Two 14-year-old girls charged with first-degree murder in the death of 93-year-old JoAnne Johnson appeared in court virtually on Thursday.

www.kwch.com

8/29/24

AUGUSTA, Kan. (KWCH) - Two 14-year-old girls charged with first-degree murder in the death of 93-year-old JoAnne Johnson appeared in court virtually on Thursday.

The Butler County Court administrator confirmed that the girls appeared before Judge Lee. They were identified only by their initials, I.H. and A.W. Both entered not-guilty pleas.

The judge denied a formal request to release the affidavit in the case.

Both girls are expected back in court on October 31 at 9 and 10:30 a.m.

 

[Seattle1]

Both girls are expected back in court on October 31 at 9 and 10:30 a.m.

Hum...defendants being tried separately?

ETA: appears to be so.

The judge denied a motion to release the affidavit and charging documents, so other details about the case will not be released.

The next hearing for I.H. is Oct. 31 at 9:30 a.m., and the next hearing for A.W. is Oct. 31 at 10:30 a.m.


8/29/24 https://www.ksn.com/news/crime/two-teens-charged-with-augusta-womans-murder/

 

[GoBuckeyes]

Hum...defendants being tried separately?

ETA: appears to be so.

The judge denied a motion to release the affidavit and charging documents, so other details about the case will not be released.

The next hearing for I.H. is Oct. 31 at 9:30 a.m., and the next hearing for A.W. is Oct. 31 at 10:30 a.m.


8/29/24 https://www.ksn.com/news/crime/two-teens-charged-with-augusta-womans-murder/

MOO, charging docs should have been released.

 

[Seattle1]

MOO, charging docs should have been released.

Generally, most states restrict juvenile records. Appears KS is no exception. But I also think serious felonies should be exempt from juvenile court. Brutal murders belong in adult Court and should be subject to conviction and not adjudication. JMO

According to Section 38–2304 of the Kansas Statutes, the district courts have original jurisdiction over juvenile cases. Records of these cases are created and stored at the courthouse, where they are heard and resolved. Access to juvenile records is restricted by law. Even then, authorized law enforcement agencies and the record holder may obtain these records.

What are Kansas Juvenile Court Records? | KansasCourtRecords.us

Kansas juvenile court records are official documents pertaining to judicial proceedings of Kansas juvenile courts. Learn the purpose and significance of these records and the eligibility requirements for accessing them from various custodians and repositories in the state.

kansascourtrecords.us

 

[salamanderqueeftp]

Son of Joanne Johnson reveals new details about how mother was murdered


Son of JJ confirming that it was a hatchet used to murder her.

 

[GRT]

Son of Joanne Johnson reveals new details about how mother was murdered


Son of JJ confirming that it was a hatchet used to murder her.

They may have been just 13, but that kind of cruelty doesn't just go away in time. Something is messed up in the heads of those two young ladies, and I think it's a shame that the state can only hold them until they're 22.

 

[Seattle1]

Community gathers for vigil year after Augusta grandmother’s murder

On this day one year ago, 93-year-old Joanne Johnson was found murdered in her Augusta home.

www.kwch.com

Sept 3, 2024

Tuesday night, dozens gathered for a candlelight vigil outside Johnson’s home, sharing prayers, songs and stories. The crowd included people who never met Johnson but wanted to honor her memory and to support the family.

“I didn’t know the family, I didn’t know Joanne, but God put it on my heart that we needed to remember Joanne, the person, not the crime,” said vigil organizer Stephanie Daniels.

Trisha Rawlings, who attended the vigil, said she was touched by what she learned about Johnson, including her grandchildren’s nickname for her, “JoJo.”

 

[Seattle1]

A 93-year-old great-grandmother was allegedly beaten to death with hatchet by 13-year-old girls

Under current law, the longest possible sentence would result in each girl remaining behind bars until they are 22-and-a-half years old.

lawandcrime.com

9/4/24

Warning - Graphic details.

 

[GRT]

A 93-year-old great-grandmother was allegedly beaten to death with hatchet by 13-year-old girls

Under current law, the longest possible sentence would result in each girl remaining behind bars until they are 22-and-a-half years old.

lawandcrime.com

9/4/24

Warning - Graphic details.

So her son and his wife found her. How awful!

She was unrecognizable. That requires someone swinging an axe (the dull side it suggests) with incredible force.

Did one girl beat her to death while the other watched? Or did both girls participate?

 

[Seattle1]

So her son and his wife found her. How awful!

She was unrecognizable. That requires someone swinging an axe (the dull side it suggests) with incredible force.

Did one girl beat her to death while the other watched? Or did both girls participate?

Reportedly, the father of one of the two girls said his daughter covered the ears of her friend's ears so she could not hear the assault. Right, because she's such a noble, protective friend...

That said, and disregarding the phantom white dude in the story, there's often a kernel of truth in a lie. I'm inclined to believe one girl was larger, stronger and the smaller of the two probable served as the photographer/videographer because age 14 today is all about snapchat and sharing/posting your experience.

Also, it doesn't appear the motive was robbery since nothing was missing from the home of the victim. JMO

 

[Inthedetails]

Reportedly, the father of one of the two girls said his daughter covered the ears of her friend's ears so she could not hear the assault. Right, because she's such a noble, protective friend...

That said, and disregarding the phantom white dude in the story, there's often a kernel of truth in a lie. I'm inclined to believe one girl was larger, stronger and the smaller of the two probable served as the photographer/videographer because age 14 today is all about snapchat and sharing/posting your experience.

Also, it doesn't appear the motive was robbery since nothing was missing from the home of the victim. JMO

That makes me think his daughter is the main perp - that the other girl didn't like the sounds.

jmo

 

[Seattle1]

That makes me think his daughter is the main perp - that the other girl didn't like the sounds.

jmo

Nope. There were not 3 perps at the crime scene, and police are not looking for any phantom white man here. MOO

 

[Inthedetails]

Nope. There were not 3 perps at the crime scene, and police are not looking for any phantom white man here. MOO

Yes, I realize that. I think the daughter lied about the white guy and I think she lied about holding her hands over her friend's ears. But I do believe her friend couldn't stand the sounds....and that's why I suspect the daughter was the main perp.