In September 2003, 16-year-old Sarah Marie Johnson opened fire on her parents, Diane and Alan Johnson, as they slept in their home in Bellevue, Idaho. The shocking crime ended with both parents deadâDiane with a headshot and Alan fatally shot in the chestâwhile Sarah fled and called 911, claiming innocence in the chaos.Investigators pieced together the murder using forensic evidence: Sarahâs DNA on a latex glove and bathrobe, paint chips matching her clothing, and a firearm taken from a renterâs guesthouse crimetraveller.org+4en.wikipedia.org+4caselaw.findlaw.com+4. The motive? Her parents had forbidden her relationship with a 19âyearâold man, fearing the consequences of their age gap and his background.A jury convicted Sarah of first-degree murder in March 2005. She received two life sentencesâplus 15 years for a firearm enhancementâwith no chance of parole. Appeals to the Idaho Supreme Court were rejected, as the court confirmed that her age had been considered during sentencing, making the punishment legally sound under U.S. constitutional standards.
In September 2003, 16-year-old Sarah Marie Johnson opened fire on her parents, Diane and Alan Johnson, as they slept in their home in Bellevue, Idaho. The shocking crime ended with both parents deadâDiane with a headshot and Alan fatally shot in the chestâwhile Sarah fled and called 911, claiming innocence in the chaos.Investigators pieced together the murder using forensic evidence: Sarahâs DNA on a latex glove and bathrobe, paint chips matching her clothing, and a firearm taken from a renterâs...