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

[GRT]

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.

I think she lied about the white guy, too.

And, the "white" descriptor makes me wonder if there was a racial motive to the killing. JMOO

It's hard for me to believe both girls had killing on their minds. I wish we knew the power/relationship dynamic. Was one the leader and the other the follower?

I'm stunned by the "unrecognizable" detail. That takes so much rage, JMOO. It seems as though there should have been signs before this. Did one or both of them injure animals? Were they raised in abusive environments?

Or born evil?

 

[GRT]

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

Agreed. It almost sounds like a thrill killing. But they're so young.

 

[Seattle1]

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.

I agree his daughter was likely the main perp, but I think this was clear in my initial post.

 

[Kemug]

I'm stunned by the "unrecognizable" detail. That takes so much rage, JMOO. It seems as though there should have been signs before this. Did one or both of them injure animals? Were they raised in abusive environments?

Or born evil?

I'm thinking that it wasn't rage, it was enjoyment.

 

[Seattle1]

Agreed. It almost sounds like a thrill killing. But they're so young.

I first thought these girls were on meth-- looking to rob a quiet home during the holiday weekend for a fix -- not expecting to find anybody home. But according to the latest info from the victim's son, nothing was taken or missing from the home. At age 13 (time of murder), maybe the parents should face charges too, similar to the school shooters. JMO

 

[Inthedetails]

Agreed. It almost sounds like a thrill killing. But they're so young.

I also think it seems like a thrill kill. I really feel for the son who is the one who found her. I can't even imagine the shock.

 

[GRT]

I also think it seems like a thrill kill. I really feel for the son who is the one who found her. I can't even imagine the shock.

I wonder if they scoped out her house in advance? Did they see her outside and think she'd be an easy target because she was old and frail?

Or was it a spur-of-the-moment, spontaneous thing?

Am I allowed to post their names? I know the media typically doesn't post the names of minors, but that doesn't extend to regular folks, does it?

 

[arielilane]

I wonder if they scoped out her house in advance? Did they see her outside and think she'd be an easy target because she was old and frail?

Or was it a spur-of-the-moment, spontaneous thing?

Am I allowed to post their names? I know the media typically doesn't post the names of minors, but that doesn't extend to regular folks, does it?

Iirc, if mainstream media doesnt post their names, it's not approved to post minor names. moo

 

[arielilane]

Ms. Johnson's grandchildren’s nickname for her, “JoJo.” I can't imagine her family's pain after losing a loved one so senselessly and tragically. Ms. Johnson - a mother, sister, grandmother, and friend. She was part of a community, we learn from our elders, they are loved and should be respected, cherished. Just unbelievable. Makes your own heart hurt.


-- Dont recall if this article has already been posted:

AUGUSTA, Kan. (KWCH) - One year ago Tuesday, 93-year-old Joanne Johnson was found murdered in her Augusta home, a case that shook the community, especially with no significant developments for nearly a year. A breakthrough came within recent months, leading to the arrests of two 14-year-old girls, charged with first-degree murder.

Full story at link...

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

Sep. 3, 2024

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Am I allowed to post their names?

No, because they are juveniles, so we have to use their initials.

So the State is going to need to try to prove which girl actually wielded the hatchet? I wonder if one committed the murder and the other watched, and if they will accuse each other. (Speculation - yes, if being tried separately.)

 

[Inthedetails]

No, because they are juveniles, so we have to use their initials.

So the State is going to need to try to prove which girl actually wielded the hatchet? I wonder if one committed the murder and the other watched, and if they will accuse each other. (Speculation - yes, if being tried separately.)

My hunch is a couple of young teens are no match against LE forensics. I think the case will be easily proven and the girls might even enter a plea.

jmo

 

[GRT]

Iirc, if mainstream media doesnt post their names, it's not approved to post minor names. moo

Thanks. I just wondered because they’ve been arrested and usually that means we can discuss them.

 

[GRT]

No, because they are juveniles, so we have to use their initials.

So the State is going to need to try to prove which girl actually wielded the hatchet? I wonder if one committed the murder and the other watched, and if they will accuse each other. (Speculation - yes, if being tried separately.)

Okay, thanks. Then all I can say is IH and AW.

Part of me wants to think one of the girls didn’t take part in the physical beating. But, who knows? Maybe they both did.

 

[Seattle1]

Besides the disregard these two teens had for the life of Mrs. Johnson, they must not have aspired to do anything in their own lives. What tragic beings.

I came across the 2024 commencement for Augusta HS (USD 402*) on YT which took place on a windy afternoon on May 19. The student population is small and the ceremony was over in less than an hour. A school where all would likely know of each other.

*AHS is where the girls were arrested.

 

[Seattle1]

Trying to get "a feel" for the teens environment....

Mentoring for 8th graders by the upper classman on "Freshman Day."

Friends of Freshmen mentors plan annual Freshman for a Day

After finishing plans for the day, mentors remembered what it was like to be an eighth grader during Freshman for a Day. “This day helped me get more comfortable with upperclassmen as a freshman because I recognized some people from my mentor groups,” sophomore Heidi Skaer said. Freshman for a...

orioleonline.com

And Sport Engagement at AHS has been at a decline for the past 10-15 years. Covid took a hit but even before the pandemic, kids here have been disengaged. Reasons cited include some students are getting jobs, and others are just not doing anything. Kids seem to be choosing videos, gaming or jobs versus sports.

Sports engagement faces struggle

While many schools, Andale High School, for instance, have huge sports engagement, like football and track, increasing large engagement at Augusta has been a struggle and has been declining. ¨The decrease hasn’t been recent¨, said Athletic Director Josh Ybarra. ¨It has been a trend that has...

orioleonline.com

 

[Seattle1]

If not for the murder of this victim, Reggie Brown, happening October 2023 -- a month after Mrs. Johnson, I'd say it could be copycat murder by "bored girls" -- right down to their "phantom accomplice" for which there was never any evidence of said individual.

Here, the 15 yr old girl testifying against her friends (ages 12 -15) will spend 3 years in a youth facility.

Girl's callous reason why she and her friends fatally beat elderly man

A 15-year-old girl who was convicted in the fatal beating of Reggie Brown testified in court against two friends on trial for first-degree murder.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[GRT]

If not for the murder of this victim, Reggie Brown, happening October 2023 -- a month after Mrs. Johnson, I'd say it could be copycat murder by "bored girls" -- right down to their "phantom accomplice" for which there was never any evidence of said individual.

Here, the 15 yr old girl testifying against her friends (ages 12 -15) will spend 3 years in a youth facility.

Girl's callous reason why she and her friends fatally beat elderly man

A 15-year-old girl who was convicted in the fatal beating of Reggie Brown testified in court against two friends on trial for first-degree murder.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Just awful! No respect for human life at all. Three years is an insult to society.

 

[acehard]

If not for the murder of this victim, Reggie Brown, happening October 2023 -- a month after Mrs. Johnson, I'd say it could be copycat murder by "bored girls" -- right down to their "phantom accomplice" for which there was never any evidence of said individual.

Here, the 15 yr old girl testifying against her friends (ages 12 -15) will spend 3 years in a youth facility.

Girl's callous reason why she and her friends fatally beat elderly man

A 15-year-old girl who was convicted in the fatal beating of Reggie Brown testified in court against two friends on trial for first-degree murder.

www.dailymail.co.uk

"The 15-year-old initially pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, but prosecutors downgraded the charge to assault with a dangerous weapon, which they said was her foot."

What kind of deals are they making there?!

 

[Seattle1]

"The 15-year-old initially pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, but prosecutors downgraded the charge to assault with a dangerous weapon, which they said was her foot."

What kind of deals are they making there?!

I think we only learned the details in the linked MSM because they finally went to trial. I wonder if local MSM will be allowed to report details on this case when it finally goes to trial or will the Kansas laws protecting/shielding minors require them to wait until a conviction to report news on their crime. I'm thinking if we learn anything about the prosecution of the killers, it will have to come from Mrs. Johnson's family. JMO

 

[acehard]

I think we only learned the details in the linked MSM because they finally went to trial. I wonder if local MSM will be allowed to report details on this case when it finally goes to trial or will the Kansas laws protecting/shielding minors require them to wait until a conviction to report news on their crime. I'm thinking if we learn anything about the prosecution of the killers, it will have to come from Mrs. Johnson's family. JMO

"WUSA9 was granted permission to cover the proceeding on the condition we agree not to identify any of the juveniles or their family members."

Press was given permission in this case. Otherwise very few details are given out. Usually there are no juries either so we will just know the sentence of an anonymous person MOO