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.”
Donna Ogletree, 12th grade
Johnson case: Joe Buice, Chuck Keadle, Larry Waller
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.
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.
I hear all evidence points in this direction, but of course, we don't know because law enforcement will not tell anyone anything except they don't think there is enough evidence. Everyone seems to be holding everything tight to their chest even after 26 years. This makes no sense to me.
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...
Somebody answer the people of this area. WHAT EVIDENCE HAS BEEN FOUND?!?!
Well, what exactly is the problem with reaching them? When I try to get my phone repaired I have the pleasure of leaving messages with people in India in order to get a call back. But they call back. Have Joe Buice call them for you, Larry. You are an elected sheriff man, can't you handle the telephone? Have you no clout at all? At least tell them you know Joe, maybe they will answer you then. Then we have our Pike County Police Chief, Chuck Ledbetter, who cannot talk because Lamar County sheriff Larry Waller will not let him. I wish Merrill Greathouse were still alive, he could tell some facts, he wasn't scared. Richard Walter, Vidocq Society has pointed out that 70% of all murder cases in the United States are based on circumstantial evidence. Because murder is not a spectator sport. Here is the way I visualize circumstantial evidence. I just cooked a beautiful three layer chocolate cake. There are only three people in the house my husband, my grandson,and myself. My husband and I do not eat chocolate. I look around, my cake has a thin, long, swipe taken out of the chocolate icing. Chocolate is all around my Grandson's mouth and on his finger that he is trying desperately to lick off. NOW, who do you think may have committed this little sneaky act? He didn't confess and I did not see him do it. That nasty old circumstantial evidence. I am convinced my darling grandson will very shortly have a sugar high and a kiss from Grandma. Richard Milam, just a heads up for you here, Donna Johnson is not going to be knocking on your door to give you any videos of the murder. You all take all the evidence you got. Go to a little town (WAY OFF), get twelve people with a full set of chromosomes to listen to all your facts change the names to protect the innocent/guilty and see what the strangers come up with. It would just be interesting to know. Want some cake?