Johnson's case assigned to AG's office
James Johnson
WILSON, N.C. -- The trial for a Wilson County man has been reassigned.
James Johnson, 20, is charged with murder, rape, kidnapping and robbery in the 2004 death of 17-year-old Brittany Willis.
Investigators said Willis was at Brentwood Shopping Center on Ward Boulevard, where she was returning graduation presents, between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. on June 28, 2004.
The next day, her body was found in a construction area about a mile from where she was last seen. She was raped and killed before 6 p.m. Monday, Wilson police Sgt. D.H. Garris said at the time.
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The 2000 Lexus sports utility vehicle that Willis was driving was found the next morning in Wilson Woods Townhomes. Investigators said there were signs of a struggle where Willis was found, but no signs of a struggle in the SUV.
A jury already convicted Kenneth Meeks, whom Johnson turned in to police. Meeks then said Johnson was also involved but later changed his story, saying he acted alone.
On Monday, a judge reduced Johnson's bond to $60,000. He also announced the case would be handed over to the attorney general's office and they will assign a special prosecutor.
Johnson has been in jail waiting for his trial for over three years.