| From The
Office Of District Attorney Russell Johnson
LAQUEENA BROWN
ENTERS GUILTY PLEA TO FACILITATION OF THE MURDER OF JAMES JOHNSON, JR.
 District
Attorney General Russell Johnson announced that LaQueena Brown entered a
guilty plea before Loudon County Criminal Court Judge Jeff Wicks today
in the Lenoir City Courtroom admitting her responsibility in
facilitating the murder of James Johnson, Jr. (53) of 501 Hill Street in
Loudon on May 10, 2017. Three people were charged in the death of
Johnson. LaQueena Brown was set for trial
on September 22nd. The other two co-defendants, Christopher Orr and
Clarence Porter have their trials set on May 11, 2021 and June 1, 2021.
Brown admitted in her plea that she called Porter and Orr to assist her
in getting property and money from Johnson that she claimed Johnson owed
her. Brown was not the shooter in the murder, but she waited outside.
Brown was
sentenced by Judge Wicks to a 22 year sentence to serve in TDOC
custody in exchange for the felony-murder, aggravated burglary and
robbery charges against her being dismissed.
Janey Johnson
and Ashley Martin, the sister and daughter of Jim Johnson testified
at the end of the plea about the impact that Johnson's murder has
had on them, his children and grandchildren. Janey Johnson blamed
Brown for basically 'orchestrating' the events that led to the
murder. Martin gave a moving statement about her father that even
brought tears to the defendant who sat listening to the statements.
Brown has been
in custody for approximately three years since her arrest. She will
receive credit for her time served against her prison sentence.
Assistant District Attorneys Robert Edwards and Jed Bassett handled
the case. Walter Johnson represented the defendant.
NOTE - Any
other persons charged in this case, or any criminal case, are
presumed innocent of the charges until they either enter a guilty
plea or are convicted by a jury at trial. END OF RELEASE.
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