Judge Jeannine Pratt explained that the aggravated murder charge carries a potential sentence of life in prison without parole if Johnson is convicted as charged.
Johnson initially was charged with aggravated arson, on allegations that he purposely started a Feb. 12 fire at a Pike Street home in Laura that critically injured Jack Noble, 58. The aggravated murder charge was added after Noble died later in February at Miami Valley Hospital.
Credit: Miami County Jail
Credit: Miami County Jail
Paul Watkins, chief assistant county prosecutor, asked Pratt to set bail to reflect the added charge. The bail, previously set at $500,000, was increased to $1 million cash or surety. If Johnson should post the bail, he would be held on house arrest with GPS monitoring, Pratt said.
A pretrial hearing was scheduled for March 20.
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