"We lost another member of our family today."
That's how Alan Johnson's sister, Lynn Murrill, described the conviction Wednesday of Sarah M. Johnson on two counts of first degree murder for shooting and killing her parents on Sept. 2, 2003, in Bellevue. Alan and Diane Johnson were found shot and killed at their home, and their daughter, Sarah, is the only person known to have been in the home at the time.
Sarah Johnson's hands and body trembled visibly as she waited for a verdict from 12 Ada County jurors. As a bailiff handed the verdict to a clerk, the 18-year-old's hands were together and on her forehead, as if in prayer. She wept openly and her entire body shook.
"Is Sarah Marie Johnson not guilty or guilty of murder in the first degree of Diane Marie Johnson?" Clerk Cindy Eagle-Ervin read from the jury's verdict. "Guilty," she continued. "Is Sarah Marie Johnson not guilty or guilty of murder in the first degree of Alan Scott Johnson? Guilty."
Johnson's weeping deepened into sobs.
The jury also found the teen guilty on two counts of using a firearm in committing the crimes. She was handcuffed at the defense table, where defense attorney Mark Rader had his hand on Johnson's back, and led out of the courtroom, her face beat red against her signature pink sweater.
"There are no winners here," said Blaine County Sheriff Walt Femling following the conviction.
Fifth District Judge Barry Wood scheduled a sentencing hearing for May 19 and 20 in 5th District Court in Hailey. Johnson could spend the rest of her life in prison for the crimes.
The 18-year-old faces up to two life terms in prison, plus two 15-year terms for each firearm enhancement. At a bare minimum, Wood could impose two 10-year prison terms that run concurrently, for a total of 10 years.
But prosecutors indicated they would seek maximum sentences. The sentence will be at Wood's discretion.
"I don't think Sarah needs to get out," Blaine County Prosecuting Attorney Jim Thomas said. "We're going to ask for a lot of time."
Thomas characterized the prosecution's victory as "bittersweet."
"It's a big emotional release for me," he said.
But the county's deputy prosecuting attorney, Justin Whatcott, qualified his colleague's response.
"This doesn't provide any closure to them," the family, he said.
And Diane Johnson's parents, Pat and Dean Dishman, said the trial was difficult on everybody.
"When they showed the pictures and things, I left the room. I prayed a lot," said Pat Dishman. "We prayed for justice."
But justice was difficult to swallow, said Murrill.
"We still don't understand it, and I don't know if we ever will," she said. She described her brother and sister-in-law as "very good people, somebody who just can't be replaced."
She continued.
"He was just an awesome brother. He and Diane were just such awesome people We still don't understand it, and I don't know if we ever will."
She characterized Sarah Johnson's conviction as "something that had to be done."
When Johnson's verdict was read, Alan Johnson's brother, Brian Higgison, and Sarah Johnson's brother, Matt Johnson, openly wept and released pent up emotions from six weeks of a trying family trial.
A "bittersweet victory" indeed.
print version
email
Sarah M. Johnson, who was convicted Wednesday of murdering her parents two years ago in their Bellevue home, was comforted earlier in the trial by an investigator working with her defense attorneys. Photo by Willy Cook
