Grant Johnson | Homicide Watch DC

Ricardo Lancaster's Family Begs for Mercy for Grant Johnson at Murder Sentencing

Megan Arellano — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 22:25:06 -0500

Before he was sentenced Friday to 49 years in prison, Grant Johnson spoke at length about how prosecutors vilified him. Then Johnson turned to Ricardo Mandrell Lancaster's mother and told her, "I swear to you, I did not kill your son."

Iris Moore, Lancaster's mother, stood feet away and pleaded for a merciful sentence for Johnson, a man that she has called her son.

"I have chosen to retain the love I have for him, because I can't live with hate in my heart," Moore said. Later she added, "I don't know what went wrong. I can't undo it."

In the early morning of May 31, 2012, Lancaster was found by police in the driver’s seat of an SUV parked on the 800 block of Burns Street Southeast dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Johnson was convicted in October 2013 of first-degree premeditated murder while armed, second-degree murder while armed, armed robbery and related weapons offenses in connection with Lancaster's death.

"My heart still yearns for what will become of him," Moore said of Johnson. She asked the court to consider Johnson's mother as well, saying, "We love each other, we embrace other."

At trial, Jeremiah Lancaster testified that he thought of Johnson as another brother. After his biological brother Ricardo disappeared in May, he asked Johnson if he knew anything about what happened to his brother. Jeremiah Lancaster testified that Johnson responded, "No, I ain't seen or talked to Rick in I don't know how long."

Prosecutors alleged that Johnson killed his best friend's little brother over several hundreds of dollars and a cell phone.

On Friday, Jeremiah Lancaster returned to court to address Judge Herbert Dixon and "beg for mercy" for Johnson.

"We forgive him. God ain't going to let me hang on to this," Jeremiah Lancaster said. "Both families lose in this situation. We still love him."

After his mother finished addressing the court, Lancaster crossed to the side of the court and embraced Johnson's mother in a hug. Then he quietly left the courtroom before the terms of Johnson's sentence were read.

Johnson said that prosecutors "intentionally made me look like I'm just some unkind sociopath. Making me seem like a monster, that hurt, but what could I do."

He also noted that he had intended to testify on his own behalf. "I wasn't afraid of the prosecution crossing me up," Johnson said.

Before delivering sentencing terms, Judge Dixon said the verdict "was not a surprise." According to Dixon, the circumstantial evidence in Johnson's trial was "devastating."

Johnson's sentencing documents have been added to the post below.

Johnson, Grant Sentencing Documents (PDF)Johnson, Grant Sentencing Documents (Text)

Grant Johnson Found Guilty in Murder of Ricardo Lancaster

Ivan Natividad — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 11:55:32 -0400

Grant Johnson was found guilty Thursday of first-degree premeditated murder while armed, second-degree murder while armed, armed robbery and related weapons offenses in connection with the shooting death of 32-year-old Ricardo Mandrell Lancaster.

Jurors in the case delivered their verdict around 11:25 a.m. Thursday after deliberating for approximately two and a half days.

Lancaster was found by police on May 31, 2012 around 6:53 a.m. in the driver’s seat of an SUV parked on the 800 block of Burns Street Southeast dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Almost a month later Johnson, 37, was arrested and charged with first-degree felony murder while armed, first-degree premeditated murder while armed, armed robbery, and related weapons offenses in connection with Lancaster‘s death.

Prosecutors alleged that Johnson shot and killed his best friend's younger brother for several hundreds of dollars. But Johnson’s defense attorneys argued that the government's case was weak and circumstantial with no eye-witnesses.

The case is scheduled for sentencing on February 21, 2014 with Judge Herbert Dixon.

Jury Deliberations Begin in Grant Johnson Murder Trial

Ivan Natividad — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 19:24:49 -0400

Charged with killing his best-friend's little brother in what prosecutors characterized as a flawed drug deal, Grant Johnson on Monday watched as jurors, who have spent nearly three weeks hearing evidence in his murder case, filed out of the courtroom to deliberate his innocence.

It is innocence that his attorney, William Roberts, claims, saying that Johnson is the victim of an investigation that worked backwards, presuming him guilty from the start.

Johnson, 37, is charged with first-degree felony murder while armed, first-degree premeditated murder, armed robbery, and related weapons offenses in connection with Ricardo Lancaster's death.

Police found Lancaster on May 31, 2012 around 6:53 a.m. in the driver’s seat of an SUV parked on the 800 block of Burns Street Southeast dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Almost a month later Johnson was arrested and charged in Lancaster's murder.

Prosecutors claim that Lancaster was going to meet Johnson on Burns Road to exchange $350 for one ounce of marijuana; marijuana Lancaster was retrieving for a friend.

In closing arguments Monday, U.S. Assistant Attorney, Kimberly Nielsen, traced Lancaster's cell phone log for jurors pointing out that Lancaster and Johnson had nine different phone conversations the two hours leading up to the time of Lancaster's death, which prosecutors claim was some time around 11:30 p.m. the night before his body was found.

Johnson was a friend of the Lancaster family and was close with Lancaster's older brother, Jeremiah.

During trial Jeremiah Lancaster told jurors that Johnson was, "like a brother" to him growing up as kids in the same neighborhood. The day he found out his younger brother had been killed he called Johnson because he still hung around the old the neighborhood where his brother was found dead.

When Jeremiah Lancaster asked Johnson if he knew anything about what happened to his brother, Jeremiah Lancaster said Johnson responded, "No, I ain't seen or talked to Rick in I don't know how long."

Nakia Johnson, a DNA specialist, testified at trial that traces of Grant Johnson's DNA were found on a red Doritos bag found on the passenger seat floor of the car Ricardo Lancaster was found dead in. Grant Johnson's DNA was also found on the inside passenger door handle of the car, Nakia Johnson said.

Ashley Givens, Johnson's ex-girlfriend, testified that Johnson lived with her in an apartment and that he paid rent. Givens told jurors that the night Lancaster was killed, Johnson left their place with her daughter between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and midnight, and testified that she didn't know where they went. When he came back the three took a trip together to a Quality Inn hotel where he gave her money for the following month's rent.

Roberts argued Monday that there were no eye witnesses and that other suspects were not investigated, calling the prosecution's case a "haphazard conclusion."

"They are picking and choosing and weaving together little bits of information while ignoring anything that points in the other direction," Roberts said.

Jury deliberations are scheduled to continue Tuesday morning.

Megan Arellano contributed to this story

At Start of Trial, Mother Testifies About Family Relationship with Man Charged with Killing her Son

Megan Arellano — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 09:17:38 -0400

In court on Wednesday, Iris Moore calmly recalled Grant Johnson, on trial for killing her son, as the boy "who grew up with my kids down the street."

Johnson was part of the family, Moore said, along with her sons Jeremiah and Ricardo.

But Ricardo is now dead and Johnson, who called Moore "mom" and Jeremiah his best friend, is standing trial charged with murder. Prosecutors say he killed Ricardo Lancaster, "for a couple hundred dollars and a cell phone."

Johnson is charged with first-degree murder while armed, first-degree premeditated murder, armed robbery, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm and carrying a pistol outside a home or business in connection with Lancaster’s death.

Opening statements were heard in the case Wednesday.

Lancaster was 32 years old when he was found by police on May 31, 2012 in the driver's seat of an SUV parked in the 800 block of Burns Street Southeast at about 6:53 a.m. He was unconscious and injured with two gunshot wounds. The driver's side window of the vehicle was open, MPD officer Bryan Eagle said.

In the coming days, prosecutors expect testimony from the medical examiner to show that one shot lodged a bullet in Lancaster's jaw; a "survivable" wound. But a second shot, fired at close range, proved fatal.

In opening arguments, prosecutor Kimberley Nielson told jurors that physical evidence, including a Doritos bag with DNA on it and cell phone records, ties Johnson to the crime.

Moore, Lancaster's mother, said the two men weren't close-- Johnson was much closer with her elder son, Jeremiah, and she couldn't remember if Johnson attended her son's funeral.

But prosecutors say cell phone records from the night Lancaster was shot will show that Johnson called the man repeatedly, "blowing up" Lancaster's phone, Nielson said. Records show that after 9:19 p.m., Lancaster made or received seven phone calls from Johnson. The last call was placed at 11:29 p.m., from Lancaster to Johnson.

According to cell phone data, the record of that call indicated that Johnson in the area where Lancaster was found dead, Nielson said.

Cell phone data collection is usually based on a system of triangulation, which allows investigators to shade in an area where a cell phone was used but does not provide specifics as to the phone's exact location.

Jeffrey Stein, Johnson's attorney, said that the evidence did place Johnson "somewhere in the general area" where Lancaster's body was found, but that cell phone records don't "equate to him being present on the crime scene or participating in the murder."

Calling the government's case full of "guesswork and speculation," Stein said that to believe that Johnson robbed and murdered "his best friend's little brother" defied basic sense.

The trial is scheduled to resume Thursday in Judge Herbert Dixon's courtroom.

Grand Jury Indicts Grant Johnson in 2012 Ricardo Lancaster Murder

Sam Pearson — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 16:25:40 -0400

Grant Johnson pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges including first-degree murder in connection with the death of Ricardo Lancaster.

The grand jury indicted Johnson on charges including first-degree murder while armed, armed robbery, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm and carrying a pistol outside a home or business.

Police believe Johnson killed Lancaster to steal money and a cellphone May 31, 2012. Johnson, 37, has been in custody since his June 27, 2012 arrest. Police identified Johnson because they say they determined he made phone calls using Lancaster's phone after the shooting.

Officers found Lancaster in the 800 block of Burns Street Southeast at about 6:53 a.m., unconscious and suffering from two gunshot wounds.

Judge William Jackson had ordered Johnson held after a July 2012 preliminary hearing.

Johnson is due to return to court April 12 at 10 a.m. for a status hearing.

A copy of the indictment is below:

Grant Johnson - Grand Jury indictment (PDF)Grant Johnson - Grand Jury indictment (Text)

Substantial Probability Found in Case Against Grant Johnson

Lindsey Anderson — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 16:48:38 -0400

Judge William Jackson found substantial probability today in the case against Grant Johnson, suspected in the fatal shooting of Ricardo Mandrell Lancaster.

Johnson, 37, is suspected of felony murder while armed in connection with the case.

Jackson said that cell phone records, Johnson's inconsistent statements to police, his girlfriend giving him a false partial alibi and other circumstantial evidence satisfied the substantial probability requirement.

Throughout the preliminary hearing, defense attorney Chris Roberts reiterated the lack of eyewitnesses in the case and questioned the reliability of the phone records.

"What the government offers is a series of phone conversations [between the defendant and the victim]. That's it," Roberts said. "There's no pinpont accuracy, no eyewitnesses."

Lancaster, 32, was found in the 800 block of Burns Street SE in May, unconscious and suffering from two gunshot wounds.

Johnson is scheduled for a status hearing Sept. 21 at 9:30 a.m.

Grant Johnson Ordered Held in Murder of Ricardo Lancaster

Rebecca Zisser — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 16:32:18 -0400

Grant Johnson was ordered held pending a preliminary hearing on charges of first-degree murder while armed for the May shooting death of Ricardo Lancaster.

Johnson was arrested on Wednesday after phone records indicated that he was near Lancaster when Lancaster was killed. Johnson and the victim had also exchanged multiple phone calls the night of the murder, pinging off the same cellphone tower, according to charging documents.

Lancaster was found on the morning of May 31 in an SUV parked in the 800 block of Burns St, Southeast. He was unconscious and appeared to be suffering from two gunshot wounds, according to charging documents in the case.

Police interviewed Johnson when they determined that calls that had been placed to Lancaster's phone had come from Johnson.

In that interview, Johnson told police that the night of the incident he picked up his girlfriend’s daughter from a babysitter before 10 p.m. He had then picked up his girlfriend from work at 10 p.m.

Johnson said the three then went to get something to eat before returning home. They later traveled to National Harbor, Md. and spent the night at a hotel in the area.

Johnson later told police that he went straight home after picking up his girlfriend’s daughter and waited until his girlfriend returned, on her own, from work. At about midnight he left the home briefly with his girlfriend’s daughter. When he returned with the child, the three drove to a hotel, according to charging documents.

In an interview with police Johnson's girlfriend said that she had stayed at work until 11:15 p.m. that night and that when she got home Johnson took her daughter on an outing after midnight. When they returned they went to a hotel for the night, she said, according to charging documents.

Work logs at the Department of Defense in Alexandria, where the girlfriend works, showed that she checked out at 10 p.m.

Johnson is expected for a preliminary hearing on July 13 at 9 a.m. with Judge William Jackson.

Charging documents are below.

Grant Johnson Arrested in Shooting Death of Ricardo Mandrell Lancaster

Laura Amico — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 08:50:10 -0400

A 37-year-old Bladensburg, Md. man has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder in connection with the May shooting death of Ricardo Mandrell Lancaster.

MPD said Thursday that Grant Johnson had been arrested Wednesday in connection with the case.

Lancaster was found dead of a gunshot wound in the driver's seat of a car in Southeast DC on May 31.

A press release from MPD is below.

June 28, 2012

Arrest Made in the Homicide in the 800 Block of Burns Street, SE

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced that an arrest has been made in the fatal shooting which occurred in the 800 block of Burns Street, SE.

On Thursday, May 31, 2012, at approximately 6:53 am, members of the Sixth District responded to the 800 block of Burns Street, SE for the report of a man down. Upon arrival, they located an adult male behind the wheel of a vehicle suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel arrived on the scene and determined that the victim had no signs consistent with life. The victim was later transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner where he was pronounced dead.

The decedent is identified as 32-year-old Ricardo Mandrell Lancaster of Fort Washington, MD.

On Wednesday, June 27, 2012, 37 year-old Grant Johnson of Bladensburg, Maryland was arrested by members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force pursuant to an arrest warrant charging him with First Degree Murder in the shooting death of Ricardo Lancaster.