shootingshooting

This is where I spent my entire day yesterday. I was sent out to Wilson to work with Cory, Heather, and Ilin on coverage of the James Johnson trial, which was set to begin yesterday. James Johnson had already served 3 years in prison for the death of 17 year old Brittany Willis before the case was dropped in 2007. Kenneth Meeks was eventually convicted, but Johnson was still being charged as an accessory after the fact, due to his involvement in cleaning Meek's vehicle and removing fingerprints.

With the trial set to begin yesterday, Johnson entered an Alford Plea to a lesser charge. He was charged with misprison of a felony and released later that afternoon.


While Special Prosecutor David McFayden thinks this outcomes was best for both families since it will allow healing to being sooner than a lengthy trial would allow, it is also good for the media. We no longer have to worry about having someone in Wilson every day for the length of the trial. This might seem completely selfish, but having to drive an hour each way and spend hours on end in a court room or on a curb outside of the courtroom while harassing emotionally scarred family members for anything resembling a usable sound byte isn't everyone's idea of a great time.