When Joe Buice took office in 2005, he was the fourth sheriff to inherit the massive Donna Johnson murder file.
His predecessors, Frank Monaghan, Chuck Keadle and Larry Waller, had tried in vain to solve the now 26-year-old mystery.
What did this alleged former drug house have to do with the killing? See the 8.24.2010 edition of the Barnesville Herald-Gazette to find out.
Brutality set Johnson case apart
Buice and his investigators were struck by two things: the brutality of the killing and that the same old leads had been pursued time and time again during previous administrations.
There is no arguing the brutality of the crime.
“This wasn’t about sex or money. Any detective would agree. It was overkill. The perp wanted her to suffer. He ran over her while she was still alive. She was sexually violated with a foreign object. That makes it personal.
The brutality is the biggest piece of proven evidence. It narrows the field of suspects,” the former sheriff said.
Buice felt many of the old leads were red herrings dangled in front of the noses of law enforcement in an effort to pull them off the trail of the real killer.
“The real reason there has been no trial in this case is because too many mistruths and rumors have overwhelmed investigators in the past. Each of those leads were followed, thoroughly investigated and proven false but they still kept going back to them,” Buice added.
Buice and his team quickly dismissed the age old theory Johnson encountered a random killer at the dumpster. The crime was too brutal and the car had been wiped clean of all prints, a highly unlikely sequence of events on a roadside in broad daylight.
They felt - and still feel the scene at the dumpster was staged.
Instead of chasing drug dealers in Florida and the strange notion a serial killer may have wandered into the area at the time of the murder, they kept the investigation close to home.
The interview recordings they turned over to the GBI in early 2006 were of Johnson’s widower, Jimmy Johnson, and his kin: Jan Johnson, Mike Johnson, Linda Johnson, Johnny Johnson and Eric Johnson.
Two others interviewed were Versie Hill and Peter David Grubb.
All live or lived within five miles of the murder scene.
Grubb resides at 162 Holly Lane in The Rock and is currently on the GBI’s sex offender list for Pike County following a July 15, 2008 conviction for obscene internet contact with a child.
Buice said he has heard more about the Donna Johnson case in recent weeks than at any time in recent memory.
“The community as a whole is eternally grateful to know someone still cares about Donna Ogletree and refuses to let her memory die. The exhaustive efforts of The Herald-Gazette will help bring the person responsible to justice. People want to know the truth. Donna was more than a number in a forgotten file. She was a living, breathing human being who was loved by all who knew her. She deserves justice,” he said.
There is no arguing the brutality of the crime.
“This wasn’t about sex or money. Any detective would agree. It was overkill. The perp wanted her to suffer. He ran over her while she was still alive. She was sexually violated with a foreign object. That makes it personal.
The brutality is the biggest piece of proven evidence. It narrows the field of suspects,” the former sheriff said.
Buice felt many of the old leads were red herrings dangled in front of the noses of law enforcement in an effort to pull them off the trail of the real killer.
“The real reason there has been no trial in this case is because too many mistruths and rumors have overwhelmed investigators in the past. Each of those leads were followed, thoroughly investigated and proven false but they still kept going back to them,” Buice added.
Buice and his team quickly dismissed the age old theory Johnson encountered a random killer at the dumpster. The crime was too brutal and the car had been wiped clean of all prints, a highly unlikely sequence of events on a roadside in broad daylight.
They felt - and still feel the scene at the dumpster was staged.
Instead of chasing drug dealers in Florida and the strange notion a serial killer may have wandered into the area at the time of the murder, they kept the investigation close to home.
The interview recordings they turned over to the GBI in early 2006 were of Johnson’s widower, Jimmy Johnson, and his kin: Jan Johnson, Mike Johnson, Linda Johnson, Johnny Johnson and Eric Johnson.
Two others interviewed were Versie Hill and Peter David Grubb.
All live or lived within five miles of the murder scene.
Grubb resides at 162 Holly Lane in The Rock and is currently on the GBI’s sex offender list for Pike County following a July 15, 2008 conviction for obscene internet contact with a child.
Buice said he has heard more about the Donna Johnson case in recent weeks than at any time in recent memory.
“The community as a whole is eternally grateful to know someone still cares about Donna Ogletree and refuses to let her memory die. The exhaustive efforts of The Herald-Gazette will help bring the person responsible to justice. People want to know the truth. Donna was more than a number in a forgotten file. She was a living, breathing human being who was loved by all who knew her. She deserves justice,” he said.
or Wrong Turn.
Did you retain the numbers? If not they are still on your other blog I am sure. Do something good for Miss Beulah and Donna. Be part of the solution. Then, sleep well tonight.
Thanks. If you cannot find the numbers, let me know, I will find them again for you. Good Night.
The specifics of the murder are too evolved to be something that has not been worked into a fantasy over time. There was so much anger in this act. He had been thinking it over for a while and was finally able to act it out.
I would be looking for a stresser that caused this suspect to devolve and finally end this woman's life. I.e. Divorce, death of close family member, unexpected pregnancy.
He would be a very dominate person who enjoys humiliating & belittling people. He would prefer control and would not hang around those who did not let him be alpha male. People would hear whispers of his weird sexual likes and very probably, domestic violence.
Oh, a killer like this would also enjoy re-visiting the scene of the crime to relive the experience.
I've tried to piece together a timeline of events for the Donna Johnson case- really difficult to do, since there's not one story that lists the entire sequence of events. Here's what I have so far. Is this correct? If so, I have some questions that maybe we all need to be asking...
Sunday, 07/15/84 Jimmy Johnson was off work. Reported he and Donna rode around, shopped, had a good day (AJC article, 1985)
Monday, 07/16/84
5:00 AM Jimmy Johnson says Donna got up, packed him a lunch and he left for work. (AJC article, 1985)
Mid-day: Donna Johnson supposedly goes to dumpster to empty trash.
2:00 PM Donna Johnson reported missing by relative Mike Johnson.
4:40 PM Donna Johnson’s car found at dumpster by relative Mike Johnson.
8:20 PM Donna Johnson’s body found on old road bed. Clothing was more or less dry, despite heavy rains that occurred during search process. (per Herman Coffey, who found the body) Presence of maggot larvae indicates time of death to be at least 12-18 hours earlier. (12:40 AM-4:40 AM)
Here are my questions:
Other than Jimmy and Mike Johnson, who was the last person to see Donna alive and when?
What time did Donna supposedly leave to go to the dumpster and how is this known? (Was somebody there when she left?)
Why did Mike feel compelled to report Donna missing so soon after she had left home to supposedly go to the dumpster?
What was Mike Johnson doing there mid-day, when Jimmy was supposedly at work?
Why did Mike call to report Donna missing instead of contacting Jimmy, her husband, and/or going to look for her himself before alerting authorities? (If he knew she was going to the dumpster and it was just down the road,wouldn't the logical thing be to get in the car and ride down there first?)
Why did the Sherriff’s office start a search for her immediately, since normally it takes 12 or more hours for a person to be designated as missing?
If Donna was killed between 1:00 and 4:40AM (as indicated by the presence of maggot larvae) what does that do to her husband’s alibi?
Supposedly, Jimmy Johnson got re-married the following year and he and his #3 wife still live in the home he shared with Donna. In 1985 AJC interview, he says he can’t stand to sleep in the bedroom they used to share, so he sleeps on the couch. Strange- where did/does his current wife sleep?
All these could have perfectly plausible answers, but not knowing sure makes you wonder about things.
And the car had the dogs in it. The windows were cracked. Someone must have not wanted those dogs to get too hot.
The common denominator is the Johnson family.
Later...
Sheila
The coversation during the daytime hours with her father in-law is what's saved the grace so far in this crime and Jimmy reporting to work on time and as usual on that same day.
Other than Jimmy and Mike Johnson, who was the last person to see Donna alive and when?
Donna was last reported seen alive by her father-in-law at 2:15 PM.
What time did Donna supposedly leave to go to the dumpster and how is this known? (Was somebody there when she left?)
That is a very good question and I do not have a good response. I have read that Donna's house was being renovated at the time so obviously someone could have been there.
Why did Mike feel compelled to report Donna missing so soon after she had left home to supposedly go to the dumpster?
That is another very good question and I do not have a good response. BUT, I do recall reading in one of the papers that Mike said he does not remember reporting Donna missing but if his Grandfather had told him to, he would have done so.
What was Mike Johnson doing there mid-day, when Jimmy was supposedly at work?
That is another very good question and I do not have a good response. He was Donna's nephew, maybe he was visiting. He is also a carpenter and roofer, he may have been assisting in the renovation of Donna's house.
Why did Mike call to report Donna missing instead of contacting Jimmy, her husband, and/or going to look for her himself before alerting authorities? (If he knew she was going to the dumpster and it was just down the road,wouldn't the logical thing be to get in the car and ride down there first?)
See answer number three.
Why did the Sherriff’s office start a search for her immediately, since normally it takes 12 or more hours for a person to be designated as missing?
Another good question. And this certainly confirms that a different sheriff was in office at the time. A car backed up to a dumpster, wiped completely free of fingerprints, with two dogs inside and a window rolled down to keep them from perishing should have caused action on somebody's part. I am glad that it was reported and that action was taken asap. It seems that someone must have known the dogs personally, doesn't it? I have never dumped my trash then wiped my fingerprints off my car.
If Donna was killed between 1:00 and 4:40AM (as indicated by the presence of maggot larvae) what does that do to her husband’s alibi?
It shoots it so full of holes that it would probably be put in a "We do not have sufficient evidence file by a DA."
Supposedly, Jimmy Johnson got re-married the following year and he and his #3 wife still live in the home he shared with Donna. In 1985 AJC interview, he says he can’t stand to sleep in the bedroom they used to share, so he sleeps on the couch. Strange- where did/does his current wife sleep?
I would feel the same way as he reported in 1985. But at a point, life does go on. I hope the guilty party(s) go to the Big House...and soon. As far as where his wife sleeps, I have no idea....but if it were me "with one eye open." But that is because my life philosophy is "Trust everybody... but cut the cards."
All these could have perfectly plausible answers, but not knowing sure makes you wonder about things.
These are very good questions and I know I have been of little help. I have a question for you. Why do you not go to work for the GBI, because I would really like to see these questions answered? Will you please add this one. Why did the ambulance go by the courthouse before going to the hospital?
Without having this information, it didn't seem right.
Funny you should say that. Actually, I did interview with the GBI crime lab after undergraduate school- way back when... I probably would have accepted, except they had a budget cutback, so the 'open position' I interviewed for was abolished. Pay was terrible and the work isn't anywhere near as fast or 'sexy' as CSI. God opens doors and closes doors and I'm greatful He does!
Since I started reading about this several days ago, I've always wondered why the ambulance went by the courthouse before it went to the hospital. My GUESS is that the ambulance driver knew she was obviously dead, so there was no urgency. This was an unbelievably brutal crime. I hate to use the word sensational, because it seems disrespectable to Donna, but nothing like it had ever been seen in Lamar county before. Perhaps the driver went by to show someone- the sheriff, the DA or perhaps a group of people. Who, what and the real reason why is now a mystery for the ages.
We don't want the rest of this crime to also be a mystery for the ages. It needs to be resolved while enough people are still alive to give the family closure and the perpetrator his justice.
The Bible says, "Vengence is mine, sayeth the Lord. " Keep in mind that doesn't preclude an earthly justice before God gets hold of them!
Think about it- This guy, Walter, is a member of Vidocq. No small potatoes there. He's been selected as one of 82 from an international pool of tens of thousands of law enforcement professionals, forensic psychologists, investigators and analysts. This guy devotes his life to solving difficult, unsolved violent crimes. Don't you think he would KNOW what evidence is required to get an indictment from a Grand Jury and to prove beyond a resonable doubt that the suspect in question committed the crime?
Investigators pleaded for Vidocq's help in this case. In response,Vidocq devoted their resources to it and made a recommendation- which the DA summarily dismissed! W.H.Y.?
I am NOT suggesting there is any collusion by this DA or any other, but I do think that he is holding out for a 'sure bet' conviction for his career's sake. Best thing he can do is to present it to a Grand Jury with all the passion and conviction he can muster. Let them make the call. There IS NO double jeopardy risk in that. Worst that could happen is that they say more evidence is needed. What's the down-side there?
This is about a beautiful, young woman named Donna Ogletree Johnson. Some vile waste of nucleic acid took her life and as far as we know, that monster still walks the ground of this earth today. IF it were up to me, I probably would have taken justice into my own hands a long time ago, but the Johnson family are far better people than I am.
EVERY blog entry, every newspaper story, every book, every news broadcast, brings exposure to this case. It puts pressure on the DA to move this case to the Grand Jury. The intense public scrutiny puts pressure on the suspect(s) to confess, cave in or screw up. (Do you have any idea what it must be like to have the whole world watching everything you do?) It keeps Donna's memory alive.
God, bless Walter Geiger for keeping this story at the forefront of people's memory. Publicity and awareness are the best tools we have. They are powerful. Don't ever underestimate what they can do.
Keep talkin' and NEVER FORGET DONNA!
Warrants... surveillance..interview friends and colleagues.
Apply some pressure. Surely there is enough to get a few search warrants.
I better watch out before I get a 5150 and am sent off to the Columbus crazy house.
From what I saw there in most case's the people there are mentally disable from birth defects, head injury's, or doing drugs. Some are there for being suicidal.
Others because there was no where to put them where they were arrested. Some people need help getting straight and sign their self in to get clean.
In my case I was there so evidence could be destroyed in 2003.
I wish Helen Anne Morgan had took picture's when she was being followed.
Of course it would be just like mine and the English / Cornwell affair.
It all disappears!