Alan and Diane Johnson
Court TV coverage
Wikipedia: Sarah Marie Johnson
Murder investigation
continues to await lab results
16-year-old charged with murder of parents
Expert: Daughter’s DNA found on evidence at slain parents’ home
Aunt testifies against teen niece accused of parents’ murder
Family: Teen accused of killing parents more concerned about herself
Cell mate: Teen admitted killing parents
Teen’s defense: ‘No blood, no guilt’ in parents’ murders
Expert: Blood spatter proves teen could not have murdered her parents
Idaho teen’s lawyers push ‘no blood, no guilt’ defense
Teen accused of slaying her parents chooses not to testify
Jury in teen’s murder trial asks to view police video
Judge gives jury options in trial of teen accused of killing parents
Sarah Johnson appeals murder convictions
Sarah Marie Johnson
I have evidence that can prove that Sarah Johnson (Idaho Teen who killed parents-Alan and Diane) only intended to kill her mother but shooting her father was an accident.
Short list
1. Full 1 min. between shots
2. Notches on the moldings indicating a struggle over the riffle. Two on shower side of door jam moldings, one overhead on door jam moldings.
3. The injuries to her sholder are from the door jam moldings and show a consistant pattern. Explains cross being knocked off of wall.
4. An injury to back of Alan J. leg consistant with wall on bathroom
5. Enter/Exit wounds on Alan indicated he was leaning forward at time of shot also consistant with towel rack on floor.
6. Others
I spent a week at the Johnson residence. I created all the artwork/diagrams presented by the prosecution. You may email me if interested in further information.
Sarah is guilty but should only be serving one life sentence.
-Thomas Dew- Forensic Artist
By: Thomas Dew on January 6, 2008
at 9:02 pm
Unfortunately Mr. Dew thinks he knows what he is talking about. Some of his analysis is correct, but others including his second observation are not a valid point. I personally looked at those marks and I came to the same conclusion as the police. These marks are neither distinctive nor conclusive. One other thing he forgets to mention, the marks on the trim and jam are in a bathroom located on the other end of the house. Not the bathroom where the murder took place.
One key piece of evidence Mr. Drew forgets to mention is that, Sarah knew my father was in the shower. I know this because one can hear the water running in the adjacent wall of her room. One can also hear the shower door open and close from her room. How do I know this? I lived in this room for 10 years.
There was no evidence provided by the coroner or the police to suggest that there was a ‘mark’ on the back of my father’s leg. This was never a fact of the case.
I hope Mr. Dew would be more diligent on his analysis next time.
By: Matthew Johnson on February 5, 2008
at 11:33 am
Thomas,
I’m just wondering if that makes it alright that she didn’t MURDER her father on purpose, like she did her mother?
Does that make the crime less heinous?? I don’t think so. I think if she didn’t want her father dead she would of killed ther mom when her father WASN’T there. Sorry, I’m just not buying your theory.
By: Shauncey on February 5, 2008
at 11:43 am
It doesn’t make a lot of practical sense that she would leave her father alive. His testimony would certainly ensure that she’d be named the sole killer of her mother. And it is her father who went to Bruno and told him to leave her alone and threatened to go to the police. I think Sarah, although maybe a “daddy’s girl”, planned the deaths of both parents.
Given the opposing opinions above, I’d tend to believe that of Matt. There’s no evidence to equal that of someone who’s lived in that house for ten years… and I see no reason for him to lie about this. This guy’s been badgered enough from her wrongdoings, I’d say.
This case is one that’s haunted me for years. Ever since it was realized that she’d had that robe on backwards… the way she would’ve looked dressed that way and coming up on you with a gun… that image never quite left the “things that would scare the hell out of me” file in my mind… ::shudder::
Unbelievable, her undaunted behavior and seeming lack of respect/love for either parent who had been terribly good to her. Evil.
By: tonnie on March 8, 2008
at 4:48 pm
Dear Mathew Johnson,
Thank you for your response. I am very sorry for your loss. I told you about the notches and evidence to perhaps give you some hope for Sarah. I am convinced that she had no intension of hurting Mr. Johnson. I know you relive this all the time and I’m sure you get tired of everyone’s theories of what happened. Perhaps I can clearify what I was talking about. I believe that Sarah waited until your father left the room and entered from the siding glass door. After the shot, I think she was stunned at the sound and effect of the shot. I don’t think Sarah knew what she was going to do after the first shot. I think your father yelled for Sarah and stepped out of the shower and Sarah entered the bathroom and he got back in. I think he saw sarah upset and tried to calm her and get the riffle from her just because she was upset and he was trying to figure out what was going on. I think he reached for the riffle, she pulled away taking a nick out of his thumb from the site, wet hands. The riffle caused a dent above the door inside door frame at angle above her head. When she lowered the riffel he held on to the towel rack, leaned forward and got a good grip on the riffle. Sarah pulls away and the riffle goes off and Mr Johnson falls to the bathroom floor. He continues to hold on to the riffle. Since he is still wet he spin toward the door and he injures the acheiles of his rt foot. During the struggle she is pulled into the door frame causing the scapes (not bruises) on Sarahs left sholder also making dents about 1 to 2 feet on the inside door frame on the shower side. The dents are scalloped and we took pictures of all the other molding thoughout the home and not other dents were similar.
I spent over 14 hours a day for a week most of which was in the bathroom and over a year reconstruction and analyzing the crime scene photos. It was the last crime scene I have worked on and am no longer creating forensic art.
I think Jim Thomas and Blaine Co did a great job and that Jim is a very fair man.
Mathew, I do not wish to cause you any pain. You have had more than anyone should. I just thought you would like to know. I feel that Sarah deserves one life sentence for what she did to your mother but I truely believe that your father’s death was an accident. Please know, I think your father showed his love for both Sarah and your mother to the very end. I am so sorry for your loss.
By: Thomas Dew on May 20, 2008
at 8:01 pm
How could you kill your own parents over something like that? It escapes me! I mean, she was on her way to college and she threw her potential away and is now spending her entire adult life behind bars. Sad. Her parents loved her and weren’t trying to tell her anything to hurt her. How blind was she not to see that? She’s right where she belongs. In prison!
By: Cordiah on July 22, 2008
at 10:10 pm
I would just like to say sorry for your loss Matthew it is terrible what you have to go through. As for the different theories to the crime, I think the police have done a good job at finding out what happened and I also believe as sad as it is that she did intend to kill both parents. I am not sure how factual this is but I have been lead to believe she was 4-6 feet away when she shot her father. Everything that happened is how she intended it to be, sorry Thomas but I don’t think many people are going to believe that she walked in and only intended to kill her mother, as soon as she walked into the room she would of heard the shower. Like Matthew said he should know he lived in that room for 10 years he is the one that knows that she would of heard the shower come on from her bedroom.
By: Sammie on August 9, 2008
at 9:32 pm
Well Mr. Thomas Dew I sat through the entire trial and meet every single person that testified. I don’t remember any of your ‘theory’ discussed. Answer this… Why did Sarah have 5 more rounds in her rob when she knew my mom would be sleeping? Sarah knew my father was there because she walked right past his truck parked in the garage. She laid knives at the foot of the bed while he was in the shower. There are many things you are forgetting Mr. Dew. I personally cleaned the house before it was sold and I diligently looked at the trim that my father and I put up together when I was a young boy…..I did not see any marks on master bath trim. There were for some reason several mysterious marks on the half bath located at the other end of the house. Those I cannot explain… In conclusion I asked Jim Thomas if he ever heard of you and he said no… Sorry Dew but your references don’t check out.
By: Matthew Johnson on August 11, 2008
at 10:46 pm
Matthew, dont listen to people like Mr. Dew. He is someone who trys to gain attention from someone elses heartache and tradgedy. Dont even give his stories a second thought- it is not worth your time… P.S. You and your family are still in the thoughts of many, and I hope someday you will be able to find closure the best way you know how…
By: Melissa on August 14, 2008
at 12:24 am
I watched the story last night here in Atlanta – and the impression I came away with was that Sarah was guilty, and the emotions seemed to spill out of her at the verdict reading. Not emotions from her feeling remorse, but for her being found guilty.
I pray for Matthew, and the entire surviving family members as well as Sarah, in her prison cell. She will have a lifetime to think back on what she did, and hopefully she can eventually be willing to offer some sort of reasoning for her actions. A reason won”t change anything, but sometimes it does help to ease the survivor’s mind in having a tangible confession to hold on to.
God be with all of this family – and Matthew, I do pray that you can find forgiveness in your heart for your sister’s actions. While extremely difficult, it isn’t entirely impossible, if you ask God for help.
Lisa
By: Lisa on August 14, 2008
at 2:49 pm
Matthew,
I have thought of you and your family for years. I’m very sorry for the loss of your parents and all the pain you family have suffered.
By: Angelika Pickles on September 10, 2008
at 1:55 am
Matthew I am sorry for the lost of your parents they were good people who tried to do the right thing in raising you and your sister. I believe she is guilty of both murders. She will have the rest of her life in her prison cell to think about what she did and why. Guess what Sarah you did it for nothing because you won’t ever see Bruno again and he probably haven’t given you a second thought since. Its SAD to me that she would kill yours and her parents over a 3 month relationship with a guy who should not have been in this country in the first place. Well Sarah I hope it was worth it. I hope she never gets out. She is in the right place. PRISON
By: Terri on January 14, 2009
at 9:37 am
Dear Matthew,
Not a day passes that you are not in my hearts and prayers…. please do not forget that you are not alone… and that although we did not grow up together my life has been surrounded with questions about you ever since I was a little girl. You are my brother… and you are loved…Heide
By: Heide Adams on May 21, 2009
at 11:12 pm
Mat,
Your sister killed your parents for what? A Mexican Immigrant? Did I hear that right on Snapped? Jesus fucking Christ, if my sister had done that I’d tear her face off and disown her through the newspaper.
I wouldn’t kill her though, so she can suffer in a small cell while guards laugh at her urinating in that visible space where the toilet is. Fuck Sarah Johnson and god bless you for staying strong. Disown that piece of shit, trust me.
By: John Smith on June 20, 2009
at 4:54 pm
Sorry for your loss man but i wouldnt take up for your sister at all man. I do believe there is a god but she knew what she did. instead of chooseing one road without violence she did what she wanted to do man. Word of advice, war, crime, guilt and regrets lead to violence. why do these events happen? dunno man but i wish everday i could know that answr why… Why did this have to happen why do we die why do we suffer when we havent done anything to harm anyone. God gives us a purpose of living. he gives us one life to live for us to learn and build relationships why would he want violence though? he wants us to feel the meaning of earning love to stress it out to see how much important livng you life is valuable to you. Your sister is guilty yes but we can never feel sorry for her actions because it you can breath and eat then she knew what she was planning to do to her parents. I pray for you my friend. my email is franchise1900@hotmail.com If you want to talk or have a friend email me man. take care. Chad
By: chad william on July 10, 2009
at 6:41 pm
I cannot believe there are people who still think she murdered her parents by accident.
My only hope it is that “BAD SEED” doesn’t spread over the world.
By: Santiago García on August 5, 2009
at 2:45 pm
This is a terribly sad tragedy. The whole story is just horrible. Still aside from the fact that the entire area from ceiling to floors and all in between were awash in blood, it seems odd to me that she had no blood on her. It would be like standing in the rain and being the only object that the rain did not touch in some supernatural way. She is sixteen and so perhaps she is so absolutely stupid as to put all the evidence in the garbage right outside, then again if she is smart enough to think I need to get rid of evidence, one would think she would be smart enough to not deposit it in the front yard. HAS ANYONE CONSIDERED THE IDEA THAT SOMEONE MIGHT HAVE WANTED TO FRAME HER, MIGHT HAVE WANTED TO PUSH THE POLICE IN HER DIRECTION SOMEONE WHO WOULD PROFIT FROM DOING SO AND SOMEONE WHO COULD RUN HOME AND CLEAN UP? It did seem like at least one family member sure pushed a bit much for her conviction to me, it was unnaturally hard or came off that way. In all the parracids in the last 24 years only 4 have involved women and none worked alone, it is a primarily male indiginous act. She could have tossed the bullets into the bushes, onto the roof, over a fence but no she picked up the shell casings and set them right there on top for all too see, with the other absurdly obvious evidence, does this not strike anyone but me as just a little bit to convient and a bit to contrived.
By: littlewhile on August 5, 2009
at 8:47 pm
to add another thought on the bullets, she allegedly is smart enough to wear a rubber glove and glove, collect evidence, go out and put it in the family trash, with a perfect little nest of bullets, but just happens to leave a couple bloody bullets in her bedroom, there is something wrong with this picture.
By: littlewhile on August 5, 2009
at 9:20 pm
John Smith,
As harsh as your comment is, I have to totally agree with you. The thing is, Matt has lost mom, dad AND sister. But hey John, she made her bed………………..she needs to lie in it. Godd comment.
Matt,
God bless you sweetie. Keep your head up.
By: Shauncey on August 6, 2009
at 12:48 pm
I remember watching this trial every day on Courttv in disbelief that anyone could be so cold and calculated to kill their parents, and how premeditated this was. I am surprised Sarah Johnson did not get the death penalty.She just decided her sick priorities IE:illegal alien boyfriend, was more important then her parents lives. Her brother Matthew has to live his life with these horrible memories and pain as if it happened yesterday.I’m so sorry Matthew and I do hope each day you go through gets a little bit easier and my prayers have always been with you.
As for poster Thomas Drew, he seems to come here spewing ridiculous lies for need of attention. His posts sound delusional and who knows, it could be a “she” who was just let out of prison and Sarah’s jail mate.
Matthew again,My heart and prayers go out to you.May God Bless you always.
By: Cheryl on August 13, 2009
at 5:02 am
she´s where she belongs..in jail. She´s a psicopat that´s for sure ,cause the coldless and heartless way she murder prove what I´m sayin´psicopats does´t have feelings,or regrets they´re a cold motherfuckers,that´s all! If she didn´t get cot she would kill again.
By: marco on September 15, 2009
at 9:16 am
I am too shocked for this..i recently watched this episode on TV i think it was on snapped.I’m no forensic expert but I could tell she was the one who killed her parents after only watching the show for the first 10 mins. As I stated before i am still shocked and can not stop telling all my friends about it. i think about it constantly because I can not believe she did that to both her parents and not feel sorry for what she did. It is very sad to know that this young lady will spend the rest of her locked in a cell. I don’t think people like her should ever be let out, nor given a chance to appeal anything because we can not have people like her in our society. Mathew I’m truly sorry for your loss but just know that God does things for a reason, it might not be obvious right now but eventually you’ll find out why! take care
By: Marco on October 7, 2009
at 6:47 am
Matthew,
This is one of the most horrible stories I’ve seen on a child murdering her parents. I’ve been trying to find out what Sarah was like prior to meeting this guy. Were there any issues that your parents noticed during her younger years?
I’m curious to how she interacted with other people, friends from school etc. The only hint of a personality disorder was she may be a sociopathic personality who did not like to be told what to do. This is how the show portrayed her. I can’t imagine that your parents did not tell her what to do as she grew up.
Based on what is available there is not much to determine her disorder. I am personally very saddened for your losses. I hope that someday you may find peace.
By: luckygirl on November 6, 2009
at 10:23 am
Dear Matt,
I completely understand your frustration and I also believe that God has put his arms around you.
I have never been incarcerated but I have heard it is bad. I hope that Sarah gets the help that she so desperately needs.
For you and the rest of your family I hope that the rest of your lives are happy and peaceful. You may look into therapy, I have and it has helped me tremendously.
By: btompkins2 on November 10, 2009
at 1:20 pm
Funny that there was no further response from “Mr. Dew” when Matthew called him on his references not checking out. There are people that would make excuses for almost anyone who commits a crime (i.e. they were abused as a child, etc). The facts, as I understand them are really quite simple…
1) Sarah had wonderful parents that tried to do the best for her and gave her just about anything she wanted
2) When she didn’t get what she wanted she raised hell
3) Had she not killed her father, even if for some reason which fails me he didn’t testify against her, he still would not have allowed her to date Bruno
4) “Mr. Drew” said something about Sarah being startled by the sound of the gun going off, etc. This is, of course, complete crap because she was very well acquainted with this gun and had been taught to shoot by the father that she murdered.
5) By all accounts Sarah’s parents were wonderful people and they were VERY good to her. They did NOT deserve what she did to them BUT she deserves what she got and thensome… she needs to be where she is for the rest of her life!!!!
Anyone who could so cold-bloodedly blow their own parents away, with no feeling at all, surely wouldn’t hesitate to kill anyone else who got between her and something or someone she wanted!
Thankfully Matt wasn’t living with them at the time this occured or he would probably be dead too.
Matthew –
I am truly sorry for the loss of your parents. Losing a parent is never easy. My dad died at 41, I was 19, when he had his first and last heart attack. To lose both at the same time in such a horrible way and at the hands of your own sister must be absolutely unbearable. To also know that your poor father knew what was coming and who was doing it, I am sure, makes it even harder. This is one of the, evergrowing, number of stories that makes me happy that I never had children. As was the case with your sister, it apparently makes no difference if you try to do the best and everything you can for a child, they still might decide to kill you. Again, I am genuinely sorry!
Terri
By: Terri on November 11, 2009
at 1:19 pm
One more comment, specifically about “Mr. Dew”…he is supposed to be a forensic artist….presumably with some formal education. He consistently misspelled (so they were not typos) three words in one post
consistent – he spelled consistant
rifle – he spelled riffle
shoulder – he spelled sholder
mouldings – he spelled moldings
intention – he spelled intension
clarify – he spelled clearify
achilles – he spelled acheiles
Not that the spelling means anything in comparison to this topic but…if he is so smart…why can’t he spell something like … rifle?
By: Terri on November 11, 2009
at 1:56 pm
Ok…Ok…I just saw the story and by curiousity, looked it up [bored, I guess] and found this blog…I am a virgin to blogs [Wow, it's been a long time since I've used that word]…I wouldn’t normally add a comment [& most likely won't ever do it again], but after reading all of this, it shocks me that SO many of you are feeding into this guy, Dew’s, ego and subsequent lack of respect.
Mathew-I am so sorry for your loss partner-I know what it’s like to lose family members that close, but I can’t even imagine packing on the additional burden you must endure-God Bless you, man!!
Oh…to the person who’s theory inadvertantly implicated “a male” as the perp…You have NO heart or common decency. Let him grieve, Moron!!
You gotta friend in Texas Matt-larenbel@yahoo.com Peace!!
By: Wow-No F'n Way!! on November 27, 2009
at 11:53 pm