Johnson case: Joe Buice, Chuck Keadle, Larry Waller

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Donna Ogletree, 12th grade

Johnson case: Joe Buice, Chuck Keadle, Larry Waller

Posted by

Walter Geiger

in Crime

Wednesday, July 28. 2010

Comments (29)

Part eight in a serialization of interviews published on the 26th anniversary of the brutal murder of Donna Johnson:

Joe Buice:

Joe Buice is former sheriff of Lamar County and reemphasized the Johnson investigation in 2005.

“We felt like we had enough evidence to take the case to trial. We had a big meeting with the GBI and the folks from the district attorney’s office in December 2005. I begged and pleaded with the GBI but they fought me the whole way.”

Chuck Keadle:

At the time of Donna Johnson’s murder, Chuck Keadle was running for the sheriff’s office held at the time by the late Frank Monaghan.

“I was working for the DA’s office at the time and didn’t have any direct knowledge of the circumstances involved at the time. After I was elected sheriff we worked on the case constantly but just couldn’t do anything with it.

“My understanding is there is still not enough evidence to prosecute the case. I certainly hope it’ll be solved at some point. There have been a lot of man-hours put into it. Everyone involved hopes it’ll be cleared up.

I look forward to the day.”

Larry Waller:

Larry Waller is currently sheriff of Lamar County.

“We will never close that case. I have had conversations with Richard Walter of the Vidocq Society, and I’m trying to reach some more of those guys. Cayce Ingalls (with GBI) has done some interviews, and we’ve done some, but there is really nothing new to report. I wish I had something good to tell you, but I don’t. I know we won’t ever close the case until it’s solved.”

If you have information on the Johnson case, call the Lamar County sheriff's office at 770.358.5159, the Milledgeville office of the GBI at 1.478.445.4173 or The Herald-Gazette at 770.358.NEWS. All tips submitted to the newspaper will be kept confidential and routed to the proper authorities.

Over the next several weeks we will post the stories of those close to the case in their own words. All 17 of those stories were originally published in the 6.13.2010 print/e-edition and subsequent editions.

Defined tags for this entry: chuck keadle, Crime, donna johnson, donna johnson murder, donna ogletree johnson, herman coffey, jan johnson, joe buice, larry waller, News, rene hood chamblee, Top Stories, true crime, unsolved homicide, unsolved murder mystery, vernon keenan

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#1 kathy on 07/28/10 at 09:37 AM [Reply]

Once again what did the evidence under her fingernails show and why havent they put them away It seems like to me that would be solid evidence

#2 Anonymous on 07/28/10 at 10:18 AM [Reply]

keep thia case open.

#3 g on 07/28/10 at 10:55 AM [Reply]

If Buice had what he thought was enough evidence why would the GBI fight him? At least it would have been before the judge and jury.I'm sure Buice would not have said he had evidence if he didn't. He had to have uncovered something or he would not go out on a limb and make a statement like that. I just think that after 20 yrs. of no answers, take what you have to trial. At least it would be put to rest. 50% of something is better than 100% of nothing.

#3.1 Anonymous on 07/28/10 at 02:16 PM [Reply]

Buice always thought he had evidence for everything. It is obvious that he doesnt. The GBI has no reason to fight him. Is Buice the only person that thinks there is concrete evidence?

#3.1.1 Anonymous on 07/29/10 at 10:31 AM [Reply]

thats why you go to court with what evidence you have. its amazing what people will tell when they are under oath. I don't think that anyone with info would risk perjury for a cold blooded killer. A trial would have brought everything to the light. Kudos to Buice for trying.

#3.1.1.1 evidence on 07/29/10 at 07:09 PM [Reply]

If the evidence was strong enough, the GBI would have done something with it. It sounds like whatever evidence they have would not be enough to prosecute. Then you possibly have the killer getting found not guilty and with double jeapordy, not able to be prosecuted in the future.

#3.1.1.2 Anonymous on 07/31/10 at 05:02 AM [Reply]

Do you think that someone who could murder someone would have any problem lying on the stand? What does taking an oath on a bible mean to them? Not a thing. Besides, they are going to hell anyway.

#3.2 Anonymous on 07/28/10 at 02:16 PM [Reply]

Jesus, this is ridiculous! No answers from anyone that could clear up things. Are we going to have to wait until everyone dies before we know? How does anyone know that a grand jury/jury would not true bill or convict? The law needs to work for the victim and not the perpetrator. I will not vote for another person who is against releasing or will not release the information that can help solve this gruesome murder.

It makes us all wonder if something IS being hidden and by whom. I feel all of the above are stonewalling for whatever reason.

I have ALWAYS been a Waller supporter but I see many avenues that can be taken to solve this case that are not being explored. I see people saying that they will do all it takes to solve this, but none are doing all they can. I see a lot of people doing a defense attorney's job and not their own.

#3.2.1 Linda Walker on 07/28/10 at 04:09 PM [Reply]

If you know something that is not being done, why don't you give Waller a call and tell him? You never know, you might have an idea that noone else has thought of.

#3.2.1.1 Anonymous on 07/28/10 at 08:04 PM [Reply]

Waller can read blogs.

#3.3 Anonymous on 07/30/10 at 09:34 PM [Reply]

Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#4 Anonymous on 07/28/10 at 11:20 AM [Reply]

Why doesn't someone tell us what they DO have? If everyone wants this solved so badly, why aren't they running to the phones to ask for FBI assistance?

#4.1 Edna Wilson on 07/28/10 at 02:25 PM [Reply]

That is a great question. If they have all this evidence and yet it's not enough then what harm will it do to release at least a recap of what they do have. A copy of the sketch they have per Inv. Rene would surely be something that maybe somebody could identify who it is. Then with Sheriff Buice and the forensic info he got from them and yet the DA still says no evidence then why not let it be known what they did find and maybe that will trigger someone's recollection that may have been involved in the search and could be developed into something that the DA may foresee could be used. I've asked over and over with no response what happened to the dogs that were left in the car, does anybody know who were they returned to?

#5 anon on 07/28/10 at 01:40 PM [Reply]

i guess they cant give away all the evidence in case the person slips up and if they knew what was under her fingermail they would have already arrested someone

#5.1 Anonymous on 07/28/10 at 04:39 PM [Reply]

You would think that, wouldn't you? They won't tell us so we don't know.

#5.1.1 anon on 07/30/10 at 09:42 AM [Reply]

what building was it that burned the night she killed was it a garage or what

#5.1.1.1 Anonymous on 07/30/10 at 12:51 PM [Reply]

someone said it was a garage. now, no one has said whose garage it was.

#6 Anonymous on 07/28/10 at 02:59 PM [Reply]

''I begged and pleaded with the GBI but they fought me the whole way.”

Hmm, maybe the GBI had something to do with this? Did Buice ever say WHY GBI did this or WHAT they did to fight him?

Buice said there WAS enough evidence. Keadle said there WASN"T. Hmmm...

#6.1 Anonymous on 07/28/10 at 04:31 PM [Reply]

Read it again. Chuck Keadle stated it was his understanding there still isn't enough evidence to prosecute the case.

#6.2 Anonymous on 07/29/10 at 07:37 AM [Reply]

I know everyone wants all of the details but the GBI and the SO is not going to release all of them. It would be stupid if they did. What if some looney toon came up and confessed to the crime? Depending on evidence that has not been released, they could determine if this person was actually the killer. People do stupid crap to get attention. Look at that psycho that confessed to killing jon benot ramsey....Saying that, does anyone know if there have been confessions that were fake in Donnas case?

#6.3 Anonymous on 07/29/10 at 07:39 AM [Reply]

I wouldnt believe anything he said....use some common sense.

#6.4 Anonymous on 07/30/10 at 03:19 AM [Reply]

Buice said there was enough evidence on a lot of cases, when there wasn't. He lost a lot of them too, and wasted a lot of time and money and ruined a lot of cases by jumping the gun.

Just because he liked to go around and brag "because I'm the sheriff, thats why" doesn't mean you can bully your way through the GBI and DA without the evidence needed to go forward. There ARE standards and guidelines that have to be met. Hunches and assumptions only work on TV.

#7 Double Jeopardy on 07/28/10 at 09:17 PM [Reply]

Isn't it true that if they charge someone and try the case and the jury finds that there's not enough evidence to convict that person and they go free...then they can't charge that person again for the same crime. I wouldn't want to see that happen. Because then, that person could announce to the whole world that they killed her and nothing could be done about it. Well, nothing legal anyway.

#7.1 Anonymous on 07/29/10 at 08:45 PM [Reply]

That is true, but he could be held accountable in civil court or in the court of public opinion.

#7.2 Anonymous on 07/30/10 at 11:55 AM [Reply]

yes, look at the O.J case. He was found not guilty yet more evidence came out and things came to the surface and he was tried and found guilty or " wrong doing".

#8 Anonymous on 07/29/10 at 04:27 AM [Reply]

Ive got a better idea. Why dont someone just release all the information collected thus far since it really cant hender the case. Its going no where anyway. Get all the information out publicly and let the people decide what needs to happen to the people of interest depending on how guilty they seem. Legally nothing is being done for one reason or another. Someone will take justice into their own hands like the old days.

#8.1 Anonymous on 07/29/10 at 08:44 PM [Reply]

I think this has been mentioned and seems to be the best step to take after 26 years.

#9 funeeegurl on 07/29/10 at 07:16 AM [Reply]

I've been trying to catch all the articles on this story. I was living in Barnesville at the time of her murder but too young to remember the details. Was there ever a Forensics Team involved in her murder investigation?

#10 Anonymous on 07/30/10 at 03:23 PM [Reply]

Well if this ever makes it to court, I hope they find a jury with more than a 2 IQ. Look what just happened with the smith case and there was more than enough evidence to true bill.....Damn if there is just circumstantial
evidence it certainly wont get past the retards in this town.

Can there be a change of venue?

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