Augusta teens accused of murdering woman cannot be tried as adults

WICHITA, Kansas (KWCH) – Two girls accused of first-degree murder in the death of a 93-year-old Augusta woman cannot be tried as adults under Kansas' revised juvenile justice law.

This law is clear in one sentence: “No juvenile under the age of 14 shall be prosecuted as an adult.” This means that the two 14-year-olds charged with Joanne Johnson's murder can now only serve their sentences until they turn 22, even if they are convicted. The girls were 13 last September when Johnson was found dead in her home.

When the teens appeared before a Butler County judge via Zoom on Monday, they were ordered to remain in custody in separate facilities. The Butler County prosecutor formally charged the girls with first-degree murder, a charge that could carry a life sentence for an adult.

But the language in Kansas' revised juvenile justice law is clear. Even the facts of the case, which are normally made public, and the probable cause affidavit detailing what happened or the motive in the case, could remain sealed because the suspects are not being tried as adults.

This could make it impossible for prosecutors or judges to inform the public about details that are likely to be of significant public interest.

A Butler County judge is expected to rule later this week on whether to release the probable cause affidavit in the Augusta murder case. The suspects' first court appearance via Zoom is scheduled for Aug. 29, and the district attorney has confirmed that the two girls are the only ones arrested in the case.

Copyright 2024 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email [email protected]