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Posted on 05/05/2005 8:07:02 AM PDT by Former Military Chick
Edited on 05/05/2005 9:20:49 AM PDT by Sidebar Moderator. [history]
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- In a brief news release sent to the media early Thursday morning, Kansas City police announced that the young girl known for the past four years as Precious Doe had been identified.
Erica Green The girl, whose decapitated body was found near 59th Street and Kensington April 28, 2001, was identified as Erica Michelle Maria Green, 3.
Police went to Muskogee, Okla., this week to check out a tip that an Oklahoma woman was the mother of the young girl.
The information came from an Oklahoma man who contacted local activist Alonzo Washington after seeing an advertisement in a Kansas City newspaper. The man claimed to know the identity of Precious Doe and who killed her. Washington said the man claimed that the mother of Precious Doe came to Kansas City in 2001 seeking a job, but became involved in drugs. The man with the tip was a relative of the Johnsons, officials said.
Harrell Johnson and Michelle Johnson Two people were taken into custody in Oklahoma in connection with the case. The Muskogee Phoenix newspaper identified the pair as Harrell Johnson, 25, and Michelle Johnson, 30, both of Muskogee.
Kansas City police and city leaders held a news conference Thursday morning to talk about the case and announce charges. Jackson County, Mo., prosecutor Mike Sanders said Michelle Johnson was charged with one count of felony murder and one count of endangering the welfare of a child. The stepfather, Harrell Johnson, was not charged.
"Additional charges in this case are likely and very soon," Sanders said.
According to court documents, Green was allegedly kicked in the head by her stepfather and was unresponsive for two days. Investigators claim that the Johnsons did not seek help for the young girl and she died. Her body was later disposed of in a wooded area. The child's head was severed and placed in a trash bag, which was found a few days after her body was discovered.
"What I hope and pray is that she was not alive when this took place," Mayor Pro Tem Alvin Brooks said. "I don't know. Maybe that will come out in the end, and maybe the medical examiner already knows and the police department. But I hope and pray, and please join me in that hopefulness and prayerfulness, that she was not alive when this took place. That would be beyond horrific. That would be beyond the savagery that it is already."
Community Reacts To News
Washington went to Hibbs Park in Kansas City Thursday morning where a memorial had been set up for Precious Doe. He told KMBC that he was overjoyed that the case had been solved.
"I was out here just Thursday, saying that one tip can solve this case. I did not know two days later that tip would come in," Washington said. "So I'm overjoyed and happy to know that Erica Green is Precious Doe. We have a name to our child."
Teresa Perry of the Precious Doe committee told KMBC that she cried when she heard the news.
"This is wonderful news. This is a blessing. We're thanking God," Perry said.
A retired postal worker who found the girl's head days after her body was discovered said he is very happy the young girl has been identified.
"Oh, I feel great that we got a name for somebody that we really didn't who it was. Now we have a name and hopefully we can close this. It's not Precious Doe. We do have a name," Billy Stegall told KMBC.
Refresh this page for updates.
I frankly do not know, but, I must tell you drugs or not a jury will never buy it.
Unless they plead guilty and she is guilty she has confessed she will receive the death penalty.
Actually, I am a Kansas transplant. So, come to think about it, I heard it living in another neck of the country so I will have to a bit of research. I know in Kansas that because of the time frame BTK (Bind, torture,kill) murderer will NOT face the DP.
To your post #37 I repeat my post #32.
The grandfather (channel 9 was saying it was the stepfather's grandfather...not sure on that) obtained photos of all of the children, somehow got a hair sample from the mother, placed it in a baggie, and shipped it to KC.
Besides, I think the mother was telling people Erica was in Chicago with her grandmother.
Thanks for the info. I am sure more will come out as this story unfolds.
Michelle Johnson, 30 years old, 8 children.
Just had the dishwasher repair guy here and he remarked on this case and how it affected the community.
As we were talking it dawned on me, this couple, step father and biological mother, had a child. Folks must have seen the mom pregnant? Folks must have noticed a child playing in the community? Grandparents must have sent at least one birthday card to their beloved granddaughter?
What the hell, did NOT even one person wonder? So, if the grandparent's tip helped find them, I would look into the background and why NOW did they phone in.
(if my religious remarks offend you, then perhaps you need to find another thread)I tried to find out this information, but I am not sure.
They have initally charged her with 2nd degree murder. The pasty-faced prosecutor at the press conference only spoke about the death penalty if the charges were upgraded to 1st degree.
Can a 2nd degree murder conviction get a death penalty? In my google search, I only saw sentences of 10-15 years for 2nd degree murder.
May this poor angel rest in peace now, and may the scumbags who killed her get what they deserve.
Sign me up. These folks do not deserve to breath the same air you and I breath.
This is beyond horrific, justice should be swift and punishment carried out quickly as well.
Yeah, but only from the Libertarians....
....this could be why!
Also, the mother had sent 3 of her kids to live with their grandmother in Chicago, so the folks in Oklahoma thought Erica was in Chicago, while the folks in Chicago thought Erica was in Oklahoma.
I hear ya, FMC...I hear the distress in your voice and completely agree....many unanswered questions. It seems we had worthless parents all around...I would be surprised to find out that the grandparents were wonderful parents to their children...it is evil in its worse form.
Hopefully the police are asking some of the very same questions you are...I have a feeling they probably are.
I know the State of Missouri or the State of Oklahoma, wherever this end up being tried, will take care of these horrible people.
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I had been following this case, but had seen nothing for awhile. Thanks for posting a follow-up. Its good to see some kind of closure. Hope the law does the right thing when it comes to those who murdered her.
If only you could hear what I am yelling at my end of the computer.
What drives evil? They were on a limo drive, their actions will be judged and they will have to answer for them if not on this earth when they get to Heaven only to be redirected to Hell.
Jumping off soap box.
Thanks for the comment.
You have me pegged, and yes I am very distressed by this horrific crime against a child.
I hope they are asking the same question's as well.
How do you have a child one day and the next, oops it is gone.
Even those who live in the dark would notice a missing a child, especially grandparents?
The apple generally does not fall far from the tree, the parents may have learned from their parent's something that may have lead to their children's behavior of murdering a defenseless child.
Thanks so much for your comment.
Thanks for the update from the news conference.
I pray for the grandparent. How horrible. There are just no words.
Oh, dear, it has to make you wonder about human beings. Harrowing account, heartless, adults...cruel beyond belief. But glad this little child has a name now. God has known who she was, she's been cradled in His arms.
Totally understand your frustration and anger. Remember, all that's necesary for evil to prevail is for us good folks to do nothing. You are doing something. You are a force against the evil. Not a bad thing. God needs all of us to guard His precious ones and you have given your heart to this. Bless you.
But there was a beheading. Doesn't that mean she was likely raised Muslim, not Christian? (This was before 9/11 so it's not a copycat playing on the media attention.) Only Muslims behead victims, right?
(if my religious remarks offend you, then perhaps you need to find another thread)
Not at all. I'm just showing off the knowledge I've learned on FR. </sarc>
Actually, I am curious about any claimed "religion" of these monsters (assuming they are guilty of this horrifically sick crime).
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