The impact of entomology on the Johnson murder case

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eEdition

The impact of entomology on the Johnson murder case

Posted by

Walter Geiger

in Crime

Friday, July 30. 2010

Comments (42)

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

Mortician Kenny Coggins was washing murder victim Donna Johnson’s hair while preparing her body for the funeral when he noticed fly larvae.

The same debris in Johnson’s hair had been previously noted by another investigator who passed it off as sawdust and thought perhaps it indicated Johnson had been killed in a sawmill.

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#1 the truth on 07/30/10 at 11:14 AM

this pretty much sums up who the killer is.whats the damn DA's problem!oh i forgot where this happened.my bad.
no matter what they say ,Joe you did the best you could with what you had to fight with and who you had to fight aginst.

#2 Anonymous on 07/30/10 at 11:59 AM

Wow, I thought the husband said she left for the dumpster at 9am. Several experts have said this is not possible. Hmm. Was it the husband's garage that burned as well??

#2.1 Good work on 07/30/10 at 03:19 PM

Good work on behalf of Sheriff Joe Buice. Seems like the more we read that it appears like somebody in B'ville doesn't want this case to be solved. The first article in this serialization said she was reported missing by her nephew Mike Johnson, so maybe he will be part of this interview process and see what time he found her car, etc., and how he was related by the name it would appear on behalf of the husband's side of the family. Would be really interesting to know whose garage burned. My memory seems to stem that it was a relative of the husband who was doing work as a carpenter for himself and or possibly on the home of Donna and Jimmy at the time.

#3 Anonymous on 07/30/10 at 01:06 PM

These are BIG and well established names in the field of forensics. Their assessments should not be taken lightly.

#3.1 For Real on 07/30/10 at 08:05 PM

Thanks to the HG for all the info they've provided that they've found.
Look at what the media uncovered and how quick in the Tiger Wood's case so soon after his fiasco.
Now, if the media can do all this surely the ELECTED law enforcement people AND OFFICERS OF THE COURTS should be able and WILLING to compile all this and investigate and get a suspect and an indictment.
Maybe they need to review the 30-40 suspects again and see if their alibis still stand the same now as it did then.

#4 Anonymous on 07/30/10 at 02:17 PM

Sounds like it. But who reported they saw her later that morning? Went there several people that stated they saw her? Are they related to the husband?

#4.1 annie nonomas on 07/30/10 at 03:51 PM

This evidence sure changes things in my opinion. Now i see why Buice wanted to take the case before the grand jury. It would also make whoever reported seeing her struggling with, if i remember correctly, two black men, a liar. It couldnt have happened the way. And the garage burning would seem to not be a random fire. Somebody, and they know who they are, is lying big time. Things couldnt have happened the way Mr. Johnson said they did.

#5 Anonymous on 07/30/10 at 05:16 PM

I can't believe some of you. buice and his man wanted to indict someone on apparent "assumption" and pretty much hocus pocus "theories" presented to them.

Truly a terrible thing that happened, but you simply have to have evidence and facts.

Think about this, what if they had tried and managed to prosecute someone who was innocent? Could happen to anyone. I would much rather there continue to be many checks and balances in the legal process to help prevent that from happening.

#6 Anonymous on 07/30/10 at 05:17 PM

How do you confuse maggots with sawdust? This just proves that the law enforcement at the time had no idea what they were doing and clearly destroyed any potential evidence, or overlooked evidence.

#6.1 Think Deeper on 07/31/10 at 08:53 AM

Maybe there was sawdust and maggots. If the garage that burned was in the stages of being constructed possibly there was sawdust left there from sawing of the boards. Possibly sawdust from there if she was run over in a garage and then the maggots the result of the flies on the body that had been dead for much longer than what was first predicted. So if she was killed in early morning hours maybe the body was carried to the garage being constructed and laid there thus that's where the sawdust came from. However, if her home was being remodeled perhaps that's where the sawdust came from. If she was killed at her home early A.M. hours then possibly body drug around and or in the home could have collected sawdust there also then carried to the garage perhaps and ran over by someone's vehicles so the tire tracks on her body did not match any autos from her home. Just another thought of what could have happened.

#6.1.1 rhoda dunn on 08/01/10 at 04:07 PM

i heard the ambulance ran over donna. that would exsplain the tire tracks not matching and the hush hush at lamar co. squirm killers squirm, they are closing in. and any one that knows anything, bring your gutless, no good for nothing selves forth and try to do some good before you burn.

#7 w on 07/30/10 at 06:01 PM

Thank you Joe Buice for trying. You did all you were elected to do. While everyone was bashing you for this and that, you were actually doing your JOB! Lamar co., you'd better get this man back where he belongs.

#7.1 Anonymous on 07/30/10 at 10:08 PM

Being a game warden?

#7.2 Anonymous on 07/31/10 at 03:52 AM

Just because he worked on this case does not mean he should be back in office. This one good deed, does not nulify the way he acted as sheriff.

#7.3 Anonymous on 07/31/10 at 04:22 AM

He's doing just fine over in Spalding county, thank you.

#7.3.1 Anonymous on 07/31/10 at 07:35 AM

yeah as a deputy...cant throw attitude around cause he aint the damn sheriff

#7.3.2 Linda Walker on 08/01/10 at 07:08 PM

I hope he is doing fine, and I hope he stays there.

#8 Go back and read the statement of Jan Johnson on 07/30/10 at 08:13 PM

If Jan Johnson says this printed info has done nothing to help the case and this hurts the family, then she should take a good look at every word that the mortician for Goodness Sake had to say about the first images of her body. If I were the 3rd wife and if I were the husband I'd be jumping on the band wagon for the DA and the Sheriff to further investigate every inch of evidence to get this cleared up, solved and conviction of the murderer for Donna's sake and for their own personal sakes so people would not have to speculate anymore. But for them to lay back and make comments as Ms. Johnson made something is just not right about that. How could she feel safe in their home knowing somebody must have known Donna lived in that same house and married to that same man and could do that to Donna could possibly do the same to her. Something is a little too eerie and too strange about that.

#8.1 annie nonomas on 07/31/10 at 10:14 PM

I believe that, if the truth ever comes out, that the statement left by the black lady will have more impact on this case than law enforcement will admit.

#8.2 Anonymous on 08/01/10 at 07:31 AM

how long after donnas death did jj re-marry?

#8.2.1 Anon on 08/01/10 at 11:34 AM

Met 3rd wife the following spring they married in August, so one year and a month maybe. Brief marrieage 1st wife, and what she had to say was not printed, have to respect her privacy. Her statement didn't mention him one time. She spoke of Donna and Becky. So that in itself would indicate she had nothing good to say about her marriage.
Then 2nd wife wanting to have a family and that didn't happen.Then 2nd wife murdered.
Then can fall in love and marry within a year after Donna's death. Then immediately adopts young son of 3rd wife. ( She must have had a doozie of 1st marriage herself to have her son adopted so soon by her new husband whom she had dated for less than a year before marrying him. They go onto have a daughter of their own a year after they married. Really in a hurry to get that perfect family image and I guess they've either loved each other or put up with each other all 25 years now maybe they can't leave each other at this point until this murder is solved.

#8.2.1.1 what about on 08/01/10 at 06:40 PM

mary jane's relationship with him came immediately after donnas murder.why do you all leave her out all the time.she was the prettiest of all.

#8.2.1.1.1 Anon on 08/01/10 at 09:43 PM

Mary Jane who? Didn't know about her. I do know he dated women within 2 months of Donna's death, but I don't remember a Mary Jane.

#8.2.1.1.2 Annie Nonomas on 08/01/10 at 11:15 PM

Who is Mary Jane? And what does she have to do with the case?

#8.2.1.1.3 Anonymous on 08/06/10 at 05:05 PM

Are you using slang??

Mary Jane is a different name for Marijuana. Also a song from Rick James which really explains it well.

Lyrics from Mary Jane sung by Rick James...

I'm in love with Mary Jane.
I'm not the only one.
If Mary wanna play around,
I let her have her fun.
She's not the kind of girl
that you can just tie down.
She likes to spread her love
and turn your head around.

#8.2.1.2 jimmy's first child is on 08/13/10 at 12:45 PM

named Dawn.she's grown now.did you forget to tell jan about that silly little fact jimmy.

#9 Hope Spivey on 07/30/10 at 09:02 PM

Hello what about what was under Donna's fingernails?

#9.1 Anonymous on 07/30/10 at 10:04 PM

Good Lord give it a rest already about what was under her fingernails. Maybe it was inconclusive. Y'all watch too much CSI on tv.

#9.1.1 Anonymous on 07/31/10 at 12:46 PM

i dont watch CSI thank you I watch Bones. Does the thought of what was under her fingernail threaten you in any way Did i hit a nerve?

#9.1.1.1 Sheila Tolley on 08/07/10 at 09:57 AM

I watch Everybody loves Raymond.....then Everybody Hates Chris....Sometimes I get lucky and catch Malcolm in the Middle.

#9.2 Anonymous on 07/31/10 at 03:49 AM

Nothing

#10 Anonymous on 07/30/10 at 10:10 PM

''Since the Johnson file remains closed,''

someone on another article stated the case IS open.

''Buice and Burge were clearly frustrated when that meeting failed to lead to an indictment''

WHY didn't it??

''however, the garage burned mysteriously before it was searched.''

How did they know WHICH garage it was?

“Everybody was trying to help but they were stepping all over the evidence and did not realize it,” Coggins said.

someone on another article (comments) insisted that the area was secured and NO ONE was all over the place.

#11 Ode on 07/31/10 at 01:11 PM

Help me out on several things.

(1) When and what time was the last time someone had contact with Donna Johnson?

(2) This garage that burned and either the house or garage was being remodeled, was this located in Upson County almost to The Rock ?

I have read so much it starts to run together.

#12 Sheila Tolley on 08/01/10 at 03:36 PM

Why did the ambulance with Donna's body go by the courthouse before it went to the hospital? Will someone please answer that question...it is bugging me.

#12.1 Anonymous on 08/01/10 at 04:07 PM

Maybe it did, maybe it didn't.

#12.1.1 Sheila Tolley on 08/03/10 at 06:09 PM

It did. Why? Can the Hamm Ambulance Driver relative answer the question?

#12.1.1.1 Anonymous on 08/04/10 at 10:04 AM

Im sure you think you already know the answer to that question so why dont you go ahead an inform the rest of us??? You have dropped enough hints.

#12.1.1.1.1 Sheila Tolley on 08/12/10 at 09:43 AM

Hey Fool...I don't drop hints, I ask questions. I think that is a very legitimate question and I would really like an answer to it. Isn't it interesting to you? Why would an ambulance driver do that?

#12.2 Anonymous on 08/01/10 at 07:03 PM

There probably wont be an answer to that because it makes no sense. Why would they do a lot of things, like trample on the crime scene and use an used body bag??? WHY WHY WHY?

#13 Anonymous on 08/01/10 at 08:44 PM

Open the case file.

#14 Tracy B. on 08/02/10 at 04:58 PM

I just came across an article from the AJC in 1985 on a blog about Helen Ann Morgan & Donna Johnson. Quite an interesting read. Here is the link:
http://officialcoldcaseinvestigations.com/showthread.php?t=17
Make sure to read all the way to the bottom.

#14.1 Anonymous on 08/02/10 at 06:41 PM

There was a lot of killing going on back then. And no one was ever held accountable for any of it. Law enforcement around here has failed many people.

""She left home about 2 p.m. to carry a load of garbage to a dumpster a mile away.""

She left at 2pm?? She had been dead for at least 7 hours by then.

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