Long Beach Woman, 27, Found Guilty Of Attempted Murder Of Friend In 2011
LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — A Long Beach woman has been found guilty of the attempted murder of a friend in 2011, according to the LA County District Attorney's Office.
Deputy District Attorney Julian Recana said the jury deliberated a little over two hours before finding Erica Johnson, 27, guilty of attempted murder.
Johnson was accused of shooting a male friend, then 21, in the head on December 27, 2011.
She first denied knowing the man and then later denied shooting him, said the DA.
Jurors also found true allegations that the defendant personally and intentionally discharged a firearm -- a handgun -- and inflicted great bodily injury upon the victim.
The victim was found in an alleyway with a gunshot wound to the head.
The unidentified man suffered severe brain damage but survived.
Recana said the victim remained in a coma for months.When he finally awoke in June 2012, the victim reportedly communicated to his mother -- through "yes" and "no" answers -- that Johnson shot him.
Officials conducted what they called an extensive investigation and charged Johnson with the attempted murder on September 6, 2012.
Authorities said she initially denied knowing the victim but later conceded they were friends, Recana said.
Throughout the trial, Johnson maintained that she never shot the victim.
While he is unable to speak or walk -- he testified in court with the help of a machine -- the victim admitted to the court that Johnson shot him over a drug dispute.
Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced in Los Angeles County Superior Court in Long Beach on February 13.
She faces a maximum of 32 years to life in state prison with the possibility of parole.
