An investigator testified Thursday that a minister who was beaten to death during an apparent drug deal had texts on his phone dealing with similar exchanges of illegal drugs. The minister's wife said he had gone out that night as part of a church counseling program to women.
General Sessions Court Judge Clarence Shattuck bound charges of felony murder and especially aggravated robbery to the Grand Jury against Steven Kelly, 22, of 4014 6th Ave., and Jordan Britney Craig, 26, of 106 Peerless Ave., Apt. A.Ms. Craig is originally from North Georgia.
They are charged in the Nov. 10 murder of Kenneth H. Johnson, whose body was found in a ditch at 2200 Blackford St.
Judge Shattuck agreed with defense attorneys that the decision was a close call since none of the items missing from the minister were found. They include drugs and his wallet. His vehicle was ransacked.
The vehicle was first reported abandoned, then later his body was found nearby after it was noticed that one knee was jutting up. Attorneys said anyone could have gotten into the car while it sat at the scene for some nine hours, and it briefly was at the Johnson home before it was impounded.
The minister's cell phone was still inside the vehicle. It showed texts between him and Ms. Craig about meeting for a drug sale. They first met at the Family Dollar, then shifted to a dark alley. Prosecutor Brian Finlay said it was the idea of Ms. Jordan to go to the alley. He said it was "a classic setup for a robbery."
Ms. Jordan said the minister wanted sex for the drugs, but she wanted to pay cash. She said she brought her boyfriend, Kelly, to the scene with her and he hid out. She said she stayed at the scene while Kelly and the minister were in an altercation.
Kelly claimed that Johnson came at him with a crow bar. He said he also believed that Johnson had a gun, saying he moved his hand toward his rear pocket. Investigator Matthew Puglise said an unloaded handgun was found nearby in a plastic bag.
The victim died from blunt force trauma to his face, head and the back of his skull.
Kelly had injuries to his ears and a cut on the back of his head.
Judge Shattuck left the murder bonds at $500,000. He lowered the robbery bonds from $250,000 to $125,000.