An Arapahoe County jury deliberated nine hours before convicting Eddie M. Johnson in the 2005 slaying of his wife just 20 minutes after police left their Aurora home.
Immediately after Wednesday’s verdict, District Judge Mark Hannen sentenced Johnson to life in prison for gunning down Lorraine Johnson in the family’s front yard.
The Johnsons’ two adult daughters and public defender Laurie Kepros could not be reached for comment.
Lorraine Johnson, 48, who worked at the Saturn of Aurora dealership, died the day after being shot in the head, after being taken off life support.
Records show that police responded to the Johnsons’ home, 1585 S. Ironton St., on June 12, 2005, after Lorraine Johnson called to report she and her husband were fighting over electronic equipment.
Police learned there was a gun in the home, but the couple said the gun was locked up. Eddie Johnson said he used the gun at his job as a security contractor at Buckley Air Force Base.
Officers spent more than a half-hour with the couple before they left without making an arrest. Police officials said the officers spoke with both Johnsons, who said they could resolve their differences.
Under state law, police are required to make an arrest in a domestic dispute if there is evidence of criminal activity or violence. Police said there was no evidence of a crime.
Officers were down the street writing their reports when they were called back to the home. The incident triggered an internal review of the department’s response to the incident.
Before the fatal shooting, police records show, officers had been called to the home more than 20 times. In 2003, Eddie Johnson was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence but pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of trespassing. He served a one-year probation and was ordered to get rid of his gun.
Staff writer Ann Schrader can be reached at 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com.
