<img src=" http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/courts.gif " border=0> 2:42 p.m. James Johnson pleads guilty to murder charge

July 15, 2008 03:38 pm

— James Nathan Johnson pleaded guilty today to second-degree murder in the killing of Roger Price in Joplin two years ago.
Johnson, 22, was scheduled to go to trial today inb Jasper County Circuit Court in in Joplin on charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the shooting death of Price, 38, but the defendant accepted a plea agreement before a jury was selected. The agreement limits the prison time Johnson might be required to serve to no more than 20 years.
Johnson shot Price multiple times with a .380-caliber handgun through the back door of Price’s residence at 1315 E. Central St. on Feb. 21, 2006. The shooting was preceded by an incident involving Price and Johnson’s stepmother during which Price allegedly hit the woman and broke her nose.
Johnson will be sentenced Sept. 29.