Judge recuses himself from murder trial of Lincoln man

LINCOLN, Nebraska (KOLN) – The judge presiding over the case of Christopher Johnson, who is accused of killing two people outside a Lincoln strip club in May, has declined to attend the hearing.

Last week, Johnson's lawyers called for Judge Kevin McManaman to resign, arguing that his clerk was listed as a witness in the case. The defense argued that her presence in the courtroom could affect the court's impartiality.

The case was reassigned to Judge Matthew Mellor.

Johnson is scheduled to go on trial on Wednesday, but it is unclear when he will enter a guilty plea.

Johnson was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and denied bail. In July, prosecutors upgraded the charges from Class IA felonies to Class I felonies, Nebraska's most serious offense, making him eligible for the death penalty.

Johnson's defense now wants to ensure that the death penalty is no longer used in this case because it is unconstitutional.

Investigators say Johnson opened fire on two Lincoln men on May 25 outside The Office strip club near West Van Dorn Street and Highway 77. The victims were identified as Carlos Silva, 39, and Terrell Jones, 40.

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