Court to determine if two teenagers can be prosecuted as adults for the killing of Augusta woman

A judge is set to make a decision next month on whether two 14-year-old girls will be tried as adults for the murder of a 93-year-old Augusta woman in her home last year in Butler County, Kansas.

Joanne Johnson’s life came to a tragic end on September 3, 2023, when a family member discovered her lifeless body inside her own home. According to authorities, it is believed that she met her untimely demise between the evening of Saturday, September 2, and Sunday evening, September 3.

Nearly a year later, law enforcement authorities apprehended the two teenagers.

According to defense attorneys, the girls, who were 13 years old at the time of the murder, cannot be tried as adults under state law due to their age.

Chris O’Hara, an attorney at O’Hara & O’Hara Law Offices, explains that even if individuals are under 14 years old, they can still face charges of first-degree murder. However, the penalties for juveniles in such cases differ significantly from those for adults.

While a juvenile may be held in custody until they reach the age of 22 and a half, an adult facing a similar offense could potentially receive a life sentence. Thus, the consequences vary drastically depending on the age of the offender.

A hearing has been scheduled by a judge for January 16 to determine whether the teenagers could face trial as adults.

Both girls have denied any involvement in the case and pleaded not guilty in August.The girls are still being held in juvenile detention.

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