MSC News

MSC News National Headlines Sports Top Headlines CBS US News CBS Technology

Printer Friendly

Email to a Friend

Judge Delays Sentencing for Teen Who Killed Grandparents

By Associated Press

03/01/2016

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) - A judge has delayed the sentencing of a Buchanan County, Missouri teenager who admitted to killing his grandparents.

The St. Joseph News-Press reports that defense attorney Susan Rinne sought the delay in the sentencing of Joseph Johnson. Rinne says she wanted to talk to an expert about juvenile brain development.

Johnson described himself as "spoiled and stupid" when he pleaded guilty in December to two counts of second-degree murder.

The teen was home-schooled and lived with his grandparents, 72-year-old James Johnson and 76-year-old Beverly Johnson. He was arrested during a traffic stop in July in Platte County a few hours after their deaths.

Buchanan County prosecutor Dwight Scroggins objected to the defense request, calling it "outrageous." The sentencing had been set for Friday. A new sentencing date hasn't been set.

You will need to be logged in to leave a comment.

Please Login

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited.

Click here to review our Terms of Use.