MS - Lauren Johansen, 22, body found ‘mutilated,’ wrapped in sheets at cemetery, Harrison County, 2 July 2024 *Arrest*

[gremlin444]

The Tennessee judge who reduced Bricen's bond last April after he was arrested for beating Lauren in a car, which freed him to go and kill her is now retiring at the end of May

Not being told to step down, not being censured, just getting to retire. After getting to continue to rule from the beach for another year after her horrible decision that cost Lauren her life.

Judge Blackburn retiring from the bench in Davidson County

Judge Cheryl Blackburn confirmed to NewsChannel 5 she is retiring from the bench after nearly 30 years in Davidson County.

www.newschannel5.com

 

[gremlin444]

I'll admit I'm this petty---every once in a while I go back to the Forrest County inmate roster to look him up and be happy that he is in jail.

Side note--it's jaw dropping to me that the murder occurred July 2 and it wasn't brought in front of a grand jury until Feb 12 (per the indictment document). Are they that far behind there?

 

[Knox]

I'll admit I'm this petty---every once in a while I go back to the Forrest County inmate roster to look him up and be happy that he is in jail.

Side note--it's jaw dropping to me that the murder occurred July 2 and it wasn't brought in front of a grand jury until Feb 12 (per the indictment document). Are they that far behind there?

What's the latest case status?

 

[gremlin444]

What's the latest case status?

Trial date set for June 25, 2025. I can't find any other info than that due to the piecemeal way the courts down there do or don't publish dockets online.

 

[Knox]

Trial date set for June 25, 2025. I can't find any other info than that due to the piecemeal way the courts down there do or don't publish dockets online.

Well that stinks, is Dad speaking out or giving updates somewhere?

 

[Knox]

Looked for an update and found nothing?

 

[gremlin444]

Forrest County doesn't have their 12th Circuit Court document accessible online anywhere that I can find. So frustrating.

This article was just published 5 min ago:

Family of woman murdered in Nashville files $150M suit against bonding companies

The man accused of Johansen’s murder was in a Nashville jail for months before his release and was charged with aggravated kidnapping after the two got into a brutal fight on a trip to Music City.

www.wsmv.com

The last we heard back in Feb, his trial is/was supposed to start in two days.

 

[Knox]

Forrest County doesn't have their 12th Circuit Court document accessible online anywhere that I can find. So frustrating.

This article was just published 5 min ago:

Family of woman murdered in Nashville files $150M suit against bonding companies

The man accused of Johansen’s murder was in a Nashville jail for months before his release and was charged with aggravated kidnapping after the two got into a brutal fight on a trip to Music City.

www.wsmv.com

The last we heard back in Feb, his trial is/was supposed to start in two days.

Thanks for the update on the lawsuit. I wish her Dad luck and hope he prevails.

I guess the June trial date isn’t happening?

 

[gremlin444]

Family of slain Mississippi woman files $150 million lawsuit against Nashville bond companies

The family of Lauren Johansen has filed a $150 million wrongful death lawsuit against several Nashville bail bonding companies after she was killed in Mississippi.

www.newschannel5.com

Rivers, meanwhile, is awaiting trial on murder charges in Forrest County, Mississippi. The trial is expected to begin this fall.

*sigh*

 

[gremlin444]

Father pushes for 'Lauren's Law' after daughter killed by domestic violence suspect released on bond

Dr. Johansen proposes legislation requiring domestic violence felony suspects be kept in custody until court appearance after admin errors led to his daughter's suspected killer being released.

www.newschannel5.com

Dr. Johansen is now proposing a "Lauren's Law" to prevent similar tragedies. He is calling on federal lawmakers to push the idea through Congress.

"Lauren's Law basically says that if you've committed a felony domestic violence act on a woman, you're not eligible for bail until you go to court," Johansen said.

Under his future federal proposal, if a bond is granted, there must be a hearing to ensure everyone involved in the process—from the judge to the bond company—is fully informed and coordinated.

 

[gremlin444]

https://www.hubcityspokes.com/rivers-be-transported-psychological-evaluation

"Bricen Rivers, the man indicted on charges of grand larceny auto, tampering with physical evidence and capital murder of his ex-girlfriend, Lauren Johansen, filed for a motion on Wednesday morning to be transported to Flowood for a psychological evaluation. Circuit Judge Michael Reed granted the motion."

 

[gremlin444]

Bricen Rivers to undergo psychiatric evaluation, accused of killing his ex-girlfriend

Attorneys asked the court to approve an order to transport Rivers from the Forrest County Jail to a doctor's office in Flowood for a psychiatric evaluation.

www.wlox.com

Seeing his face just enrages me.

 

[anneoakley63]

I understand this is his right as a defendant, but knowing that he is playing the system (just like he played Lauren) absolutely disgusts me.

 

[gremlin444]

Grrr, trial delayed from next month to March 3, 2026 in order to give the defense team more time to have him psychologically evaluated.

Prosecutors pursuing death penalty. Judge says he doesn't this case to drag out, but this is now the second rescheduling of the trial.

Bricen Rivers’ trial pushed to 2026 as prosecutors pursue death penalty

Bricen Rivers appeared in Forrest County Circuit Court Tuesday for a status hearing in his capital murder case

www.wdam.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1973069582618214782

(clip starts just as he is finishing bowing from the doorway)

As he left the courthouse, Rivers smiled, waved, and even took a bow in front of the cameras.

When asked by a reporter if he was proud of himself, Rivers replied, “Oh yeah.” And when asked what he was proud of, Rivers said, “Making it through a day.”

Prosecutors confirmed in a recent motion that they intend to seek the death penalty if Rivers is convicted. Outside the courthouse, he was asked if he thought he would be put to death. Rivers responded, “Yep. Expeditiously.”

Ok. I'm not even going to turn on the audio for that clip on Twitter because I can already feel my blood pressure shooting up just watching it without sound.

This horribly evil violent disgusting manchild.

Trial date moved back for ex-boyfriend accused of killing Southern Miss nursing student - SuperTalk Mississippi

The trial date for the man accused of killing Southern Miss nursing student Lauren Johansen has been pushed back.

www.supertalk.fm

During Rivers’ court appearance back in August 2024, authorities testified that the suspect’s brother informed police in Harrison County that Rivers had fessed up to killing Johansen. Investigators believe Rivers beat the victim to death in Forrest County, stole her vehicle, and headed to the Coast to discard incriminating evidence.

 

[Knox]

The evil in Rivers is palpable. Makes me want to flinch when I see video of him. Don’t think he’s insane, just demonic.

Thinking of Lauren’s Dad tonight.

 

[gremlin444]

Grr...

Bricen Rivers requests change of venue, decision pending

In just six weeks, 25-year-old Bricen Rivers is set to stand trial. He is accused of killing his ex girlfriend Lauren Johansen.

www.wdam.com

Tuesday, his attorneys argued Rivers will not get a fair trial in Forrest County.

“We read psychopath, monster, murderer, electrocute him, hang him, shoot him,” said Gregory Spore, one of Rivers’ two attorneys at the hearing.

According to the defense, the characterizations and potential actions can be found on various news outlets’ social media pages, including WDAM 7.


The judge will make a decision and let both sides know by the end of the week.


I'm generally a "take the law into your own hands" kind of person......but for him I make an exception. Let Lauren's dad have 10 minutes alone with him.

Dude, you are a disgusting excuse for a human being. No matter what town you go to, any jury would listen to the evidence against you and sentence you to do death in less than 30 minutes, even if they'd never heard of you or what you did before the day they got the to the courthouse.

When I think of Lauren's loved ones having to sit through a trial and deal with his vile behavior while listening to horrifying of what this man did to her, I feel physically ill.

Trial set for March 3rd.

 

[Spectrix]

I picture a special place in hell for these DV aggressors who continually beat their partners and eventually kill them.
Maybe that pathetic excuse for a judge can be sent there as well.

 

[NewMommy09]

Grr...

Bricen Rivers requests change of venue, decision pending

In just six weeks, 25-year-old Bricen Rivers is set to stand trial. He is accused of killing his ex girlfriend Lauren Johansen.

www.wdam.com

Tuesday, his attorneys argued Rivers will not get a fair trial in Forrest County.

“We read psychopath, monster, murderer, electrocute him, hang him, shoot him,” said Gregory Spore, one of Rivers’ two attorneys at the hearing.

According to the defense, the characterizations and potential actions can be found on various news outlets’ social media pages, including WDAM 7.


The judge will make a decision and let both sides know by the end of the week.


I'm generally a "take the law into your own hands" kind of person......but for him I make an exception. Let Lauren's dad have 10 minutes alone with him.

Dude, you are a disgusting excuse for a human being. No matter what town you go to, any jury would listen to the evidence against you and sentence you to do death in less than 30 minutes, even if they'd never heard of you or what you did before the day they got the to the courthouse.

When I think of Lauren's loved ones having to sit through a trial and deal with his vile behavior while listening to horrifying of what this man did to her, I feel physically ill.

Trial set for March 3rd.

Well filing continuous motions to keep delaying his trial isn't going to help with contaminating any jury pools. Just more info to more people out there about what a horrible psychopath this guy is. Jeesh. But I guess the Defense Team will make any play right now.