Sentinel Echo Newspaper.
London, Kentucky. January 15, 1953
Mrs. Roy Johnson, School Teacher, Is Slain; 4 Questioned
Four Persons, Including a Brother And Sister, Were Questioned
At The Laurel County Jail For Several Hours Tuesday Afternoon in Connection With The Slaying of Mrs. Roy Johnson, 30, Whose Body , With a Bullet Wound in The Back, Was Found The Afternoon Before in The Drive-way of Her Farm Home, 2 Miles South of London on the Corbin Highway.
No charges were placed against the four, whose names were withheld by State Police who conducted the investigation. However it is understood that a grand jury investigation has been ordered. The four persons were picked up in Rockcastle county by troopers after it was learned that they were in an automobile parked in the vicinity of the Johnson home for several minutes and during the time of the tragedy, while a flat tire was being mended.
THIRD GRADE TEACHER: The body of Mrs. Johnson, the former Miss Lucille Scott and a third grade teacher in the London City School for the last seven years, was found on the Johnson driveway, mid-way between the highway and the home. At first it was thought she had been the victim of a heart attack. The events leading to the discovery of the body are as recounted by state and county officials: Mrs. Johnson was supposed to meet her husband, who is a teacher at Lily, at the home of her mother in London. As he came along on the school bus, he saw his farm tenant standing near the Johnson's mailbox. Johnson got off the bus instead of continuing on to London as planned, since he knew the tenant wanted to turn over a tobacco check to him.
TELEPHONED WIFE: After talking with the tenant for some time, he phoned his wife, telling her to bring the car and pick him up. Mrs. Johnson arrived with the car and instead of returning to London, told her husband he believed she would stay home. She tore off the top of a paper bag and wrote down two or three items she wanted from town. About 20 minutes later, Waldo Cole, an employee of Humfleet's drove into the Johnson driveway after fixing a tire for a motorist who had a puncture near the house. (The car with the flat was occupied by the men and woman questioned by police).
Cole related that he when he first saw the body, which was about 50 yards up a 100 yard driveway, he thought it was one of the farm animals.
Later he realized it was a person and upon investigating found it to be the body of Mrs. Johnson.
When no one answered the door at the Johnson house, he called State Police.
BULLET DISCOVERED: Trooper Lester Yaden and Laurel County Coroner, Ed Bryant, thought first that Mrs. Johnson had died from a heart attack.
Bryant, who is a funeral director and coroner in London, later discovered that she had been shot. The small caliber bullet had entered the right side and ranged upward, lodging in the heart.
Local Troopers, other than Yaden, working on the case are Elman Dizney and Don Wright, and Lt. Don Young.
These officers were augmented by State Detective John Howard, Harlan; State Detective Harold Barton, Middlesboro; State Technician Fred Watson, Frankfort; and Photographer, Beckham Stone, also Frankport.
NATIVE OF FLETCHER: Mrs. Johnson was born Aug. 2, 1922 in Fletcher, Laurel County, the daughter of L.A. and Lela Parker Scott.
She moved with her family to Corbin when a baby and sixteen years ago moved to London.
She graduated from the London High School and Sue Bennett College.
She continued her studies after becoming a teacher and last year received her degree from Union College in Barbourville.
She was a member of the First Baptist church in London.
About six years ago she was married to Mr. Johnson, also a teacher, and to them, one child was born, Jimmy, now 5, who with Mr. Johnson survive.
She also leaves her parents, Mr. and Mrs. L.A. Scott, London;
three sisters, Mrs. Bill House, London; Mrs. John Stanton, Memphis; and Miss Gladys Scott, a teacher in Mt. Sterling;
and one brother, Sgt. Quinton Scott, Westover Air Force Base, Mass.
Funeral services for Mrs. Johnson will be held at 2 o'clock this Thursday afternoon at the First Baptist Church, conducted by the
Revs. Geo. W. Phillips and E. Haun.
Interment will follow in the A.R. Dyche Memorial Park by the House Funeral Home.
===========================
Sentinel Echo Newspaper. London, Kentucky.
January 22, 1953
EDGAR MULLINS FACES MURDER COUNTY IN TEACHER'S DEATH
An indictment of wilful murder was returned Saturday in Circuit Court against Edgar Mullins, 41-year old trapper in connection with the death January 12 of Mrs. Roy Johnson, 3rd grade teacher at the London city School.
Conviction of the charge carries penalties of death, a life sentence or acquittal.
Mrs. Johnson, 30 years old, was killed instantly while walking on the driveway of her farm home, 2 miles south of here, after she was shot by a 22 caliber bullet which lodged in her heart.
Trial date for Mullins was set for the 27th day, Wednesday, February 4, of the present term of Laurel Circuit Court. Regular trial judge Ray C. Lewis disqualified himself and asked that the Court of Appeals appoint a special judge after he stated that Mullins was a relative of his wife. Mullins is free under a $5,000 bond until the trial date.
An unidentified witness had told State Police of seeing Mullins go into the woodland with a rifle about the time of the killing.
While being questioned the next day, Mullins admitted being in the woods where he said he had a trapline.
The officers found tracks in the swampy ground with peculiar markings which upon comparison were found to match the soles of Mullin's shoes.
Mullins, in early questioning denied owning a .22 rifle but said he did own several other guns, including three high-powered rifles and two shotguns.
He finally admitted that he had owned a .22, declaring he had sold it at the stock sales in London the week before.
However, he was unable to say to whom it was sold or produce any proof of the sale.
STORY CONFLICTS
State Police said this conflicted with the story of the witness who had sen Mullins Monday afternoon with a .22.
The officers again questioned him about the time he was in the woods and the time he gave did not correspond with that of the witness who saw him go there. Taken into custody Wednesday night of last week about 7:30, Mullins, State Police said, when confronted with discrepancies in his
story, admitted about 8:30 p.m. that he did own a .22 and that he had fired a shot at a bird and it was in the line with where the body was found.
He stated, the officers reported, that he knew he'd shot someone because he heard a scream and saw a body.
Mullins continued that he became excited and hid the gun under a pile of leaves and immediately left the woodland and went into London.
A taxi driver, whose name was not disclosed, said he took Mullins home late Monday. Mullins led State Police Thursday morning to where the gun was hidden in the woods. Mullins lives about one mile Southeast of London on the Camp Ground road.
He and his wife, a Japanese girl whom he married during his Army service, reside with his parents, Mr. And Mrs. James D. Mullins. He was discharged in May 1952 after seven years Army service, most recently in Korea.
During World War II, he served in the Pacific Theatre. State Police working on the case include Lt. Don Young, Detectives John Howard and W.H. Barton and Trooper Leslie Yaden. Former State Patrol Captain John Black assisted in the case.
========================
Sentinel Echo Newspaper. London, Kentucky.
April 15, 1954
KNOX COUNTY JURY TO HEAR CASE OF EDGAR MULLINS; HOUSE PRESIDES
Seventy-five persons from Knox County were summoned yesterday morning as prospective jurors in the Laurel Circuit Court to try the Edgar Mullins case after the jury list of Laurel countains became exhausted. The twelve selected from this group will decide the fate of Mullins who is charged with murder in connection with the death of Mrs. Roy Johnson, London School teacher, who was killed by a .22 bullet fired by the defendant in January 1953. The regular jury for the April term was exhausted Monday. eighty-four additional persons from the county were summoned for jury service Tuesday morning but only seven from this panel were qualified. They were dismissed after it was shown that an out-of-county jury would be necessary. The case has been called at three previous courts but was continued each time due to various circumstances. A special judge from Williamsburg presided over these hearing but became disqualified after being elected to a public office. Judge Roy W. House of Manchester was appointed by the Court of Appeals in his stead. Regular Judge Ray C. Lewis disqualified himself because of kinship of Mrs. Lewis with Mullins. Mullins, veteran of Korean War, claimed that he was shooting at a bird in the Body "bottoms" below the Johnson house, to get bait for a small animal trap he had set, and that he did not see Mrs. Johnson who was in the line of fire. She was walking along the driveway of her home 1 mile South of here on the Corbin Pike, when struck by the fatal bullet.
======================
Sentinel Echo Newspaper. London, Kentucky.
April 22, 1954
KNOX JURY GIVES MULLINS 8-YEAR TERM
Edgar Mullins, following a week long trial in the Laurel County Court, Saturday was found guilty of manslaughter and was given an 8-year prison term by a Knox County jury. Mullins, a trapper and veteran of the Korean War, was indicted for murder in connection with the death in January 1953 of Mrs. Roy Johnson, London School teacher. The charge was amended to voluntary manslaughter.
A jury was empaneled from Knox county when a panel of more than 100 Laurel countians was exhausted. The trial was presided over by Judge Roy W. House of Manchester. Regular Judge Ray C. Lewis disqualified himself due to kinship of his wife with the defendant. Atty. Robert Bird was special prosecutor. William Weaver for the defense. Mrs. Johnson, formerly Miss Lucille Scott, was injured fatally by a short from a .22 rifle as she walked along the driveway of her home, one mile south of here on the Corbin road. Mullins claimed that he fired at a bird in the Jody "bottoms" with which he intended to bait a trap. He said he did not realize Mrs. Johnson was in the line of fire. After the shooting, Mullins hid his rifle and he was not apprehended for several days. Principal witnesses int he trial were officers and others who assisted in the investigation which brought about the arrest of
the defendant. Also ballistic experts offered testimony.
rest in peace
.
London, Kentucky. January 15, 1953
Mrs. Roy Johnson, School Teacher, Is Slain; 4 Questioned
Four Persons, Including a Brother And Sister, Were Questioned
At The Laurel County Jail For Several Hours Tuesday Afternoon in Connection With The Slaying of Mrs. Roy Johnson, 30, Whose Body , With a Bullet Wound in The Back, Was Found The Afternoon Before in The Drive-way of Her Farm Home, 2 Miles South of London on the Corbin Highway.
No charges were placed against the four, whose names were withheld by State Police who conducted the investigation. However it is understood that a grand jury investigation has been ordered. The four persons were picked up in Rockcastle county by troopers after it was learned that they were in an automobile parked in the vicinity of the Johnson home for several minutes and during the time of the tragedy, while a flat tire was being mended.
THIRD GRADE TEACHER: The body of Mrs. Johnson, the former Miss Lucille Scott and a third grade teacher in the London City School for the last seven years, was found on the Johnson driveway, mid-way between the highway and the home. At first it was thought she had been the victim of a heart attack. The events leading to the discovery of the body are as recounted by state and county officials: Mrs. Johnson was supposed to meet her husband, who is a teacher at Lily, at the home of her mother in London. As he came along on the school bus, he saw his farm tenant standing near the Johnson's mailbox. Johnson got off the bus instead of continuing on to London as planned, since he knew the tenant wanted to turn over a tobacco check to him.
TELEPHONED WIFE: After talking with the tenant for some time, he phoned his wife, telling her to bring the car and pick him up. Mrs. Johnson arrived with the car and instead of returning to London, told her husband he believed she would stay home. She tore off the top of a paper bag and wrote down two or three items she wanted from town. About 20 minutes later, Waldo Cole, an employee of Humfleet's drove into the Johnson driveway after fixing a tire for a motorist who had a puncture near the house. (The car with the flat was occupied by the men and woman questioned by police).
Cole related that he when he first saw the body, which was about 50 yards up a 100 yard driveway, he thought it was one of the farm animals.
Later he realized it was a person and upon investigating found it to be the body of Mrs. Johnson.
When no one answered the door at the Johnson house, he called State Police.
BULLET DISCOVERED: Trooper Lester Yaden and Laurel County Coroner, Ed Bryant, thought first that Mrs. Johnson had died from a heart attack.
Bryant, who is a funeral director and coroner in London, later discovered that she had been shot. The small caliber bullet had entered the right side and ranged upward, lodging in the heart.
Local Troopers, other than Yaden, working on the case are Elman Dizney and Don Wright, and Lt. Don Young.
These officers were augmented by State Detective John Howard, Harlan; State Detective Harold Barton, Middlesboro; State Technician Fred Watson, Frankfort; and Photographer, Beckham Stone, also Frankport.
NATIVE OF FLETCHER: Mrs. Johnson was born Aug. 2, 1922 in Fletcher, Laurel County, the daughter of L.A. and Lela Parker Scott.
She moved with her family to Corbin when a baby and sixteen years ago moved to London.
She graduated from the London High School and Sue Bennett College.
She continued her studies after becoming a teacher and last year received her degree from Union College in Barbourville.
She was a member of the First Baptist church in London.
About six years ago she was married to Mr. Johnson, also a teacher, and to them, one child was born, Jimmy, now 5, who with Mr. Johnson survive.
She also leaves her parents, Mr. and Mrs. L.A. Scott, London;
three sisters, Mrs. Bill House, London; Mrs. John Stanton, Memphis; and Miss Gladys Scott, a teacher in Mt. Sterling;
and one brother, Sgt. Quinton Scott, Westover Air Force Base, Mass.
Funeral services for Mrs. Johnson will be held at 2 o'clock this Thursday afternoon at the First Baptist Church, conducted by the
Revs. Geo. W. Phillips and E. Haun.
Interment will follow in the A.R. Dyche Memorial Park by the House Funeral Home.
===========================
Sentinel Echo Newspaper. London, Kentucky.
January 22, 1953
EDGAR MULLINS FACES MURDER COUNTY IN TEACHER'S DEATH
An indictment of wilful murder was returned Saturday in Circuit Court against Edgar Mullins, 41-year old trapper in connection with the death January 12 of Mrs. Roy Johnson, 3rd grade teacher at the London city School.
Conviction of the charge carries penalties of death, a life sentence or acquittal.
Mrs. Johnson, 30 years old, was killed instantly while walking on the driveway of her farm home, 2 miles south of here, after she was shot by a 22 caliber bullet which lodged in her heart.
Trial date for Mullins was set for the 27th day, Wednesday, February 4, of the present term of Laurel Circuit Court. Regular trial judge Ray C. Lewis disqualified himself and asked that the Court of Appeals appoint a special judge after he stated that Mullins was a relative of his wife. Mullins is free under a $5,000 bond until the trial date.
An unidentified witness had told State Police of seeing Mullins go into the woodland with a rifle about the time of the killing.
While being questioned the next day, Mullins admitted being in the woods where he said he had a trapline.
The officers found tracks in the swampy ground with peculiar markings which upon comparison were found to match the soles of Mullin's shoes.
Mullins, in early questioning denied owning a .22 rifle but said he did own several other guns, including three high-powered rifles and two shotguns.
He finally admitted that he had owned a .22, declaring he had sold it at the stock sales in London the week before.
However, he was unable to say to whom it was sold or produce any proof of the sale.
STORY CONFLICTS
State Police said this conflicted with the story of the witness who had sen Mullins Monday afternoon with a .22.
The officers again questioned him about the time he was in the woods and the time he gave did not correspond with that of the witness who saw him go there. Taken into custody Wednesday night of last week about 7:30, Mullins, State Police said, when confronted with discrepancies in his
story, admitted about 8:30 p.m. that he did own a .22 and that he had fired a shot at a bird and it was in the line with where the body was found.
He stated, the officers reported, that he knew he'd shot someone because he heard a scream and saw a body.
Mullins continued that he became excited and hid the gun under a pile of leaves and immediately left the woodland and went into London.
A taxi driver, whose name was not disclosed, said he took Mullins home late Monday. Mullins led State Police Thursday morning to where the gun was hidden in the woods. Mullins lives about one mile Southeast of London on the Camp Ground road.
He and his wife, a Japanese girl whom he married during his Army service, reside with his parents, Mr. And Mrs. James D. Mullins. He was discharged in May 1952 after seven years Army service, most recently in Korea.
During World War II, he served in the Pacific Theatre. State Police working on the case include Lt. Don Young, Detectives John Howard and W.H. Barton and Trooper Leslie Yaden. Former State Patrol Captain John Black assisted in the case.
========================
Sentinel Echo Newspaper. London, Kentucky.
April 15, 1954
KNOX COUNTY JURY TO HEAR CASE OF EDGAR MULLINS; HOUSE PRESIDES
Seventy-five persons from Knox County were summoned yesterday morning as prospective jurors in the Laurel Circuit Court to try the Edgar Mullins case after the jury list of Laurel countains became exhausted. The twelve selected from this group will decide the fate of Mullins who is charged with murder in connection with the death of Mrs. Roy Johnson, London School teacher, who was killed by a .22 bullet fired by the defendant in January 1953. The regular jury for the April term was exhausted Monday. eighty-four additional persons from the county were summoned for jury service Tuesday morning but only seven from this panel were qualified. They were dismissed after it was shown that an out-of-county jury would be necessary. The case has been called at three previous courts but was continued each time due to various circumstances. A special judge from Williamsburg presided over these hearing but became disqualified after being elected to a public office. Judge Roy W. House of Manchester was appointed by the Court of Appeals in his stead. Regular Judge Ray C. Lewis disqualified himself because of kinship of Mrs. Lewis with Mullins. Mullins, veteran of Korean War, claimed that he was shooting at a bird in the Body "bottoms" below the Johnson house, to get bait for a small animal trap he had set, and that he did not see Mrs. Johnson who was in the line of fire. She was walking along the driveway of her home 1 mile South of here on the Corbin Pike, when struck by the fatal bullet.
======================
Sentinel Echo Newspaper. London, Kentucky.
April 22, 1954
KNOX JURY GIVES MULLINS 8-YEAR TERM
Edgar Mullins, following a week long trial in the Laurel County Court, Saturday was found guilty of manslaughter and was given an 8-year prison term by a Knox County jury. Mullins, a trapper and veteran of the Korean War, was indicted for murder in connection with the death in January 1953 of Mrs. Roy Johnson, London School teacher. The charge was amended to voluntary manslaughter.
A jury was empaneled from Knox county when a panel of more than 100 Laurel countians was exhausted. The trial was presided over by Judge Roy W. House of Manchester. Regular Judge Ray C. Lewis disqualified himself due to kinship of his wife with the defendant. Atty. Robert Bird was special prosecutor. William Weaver for the defense. Mrs. Johnson, formerly Miss Lucille Scott, was injured fatally by a short from a .22 rifle as she walked along the driveway of her home, one mile south of here on the Corbin road. Mullins claimed that he fired at a bird in the Jody "bottoms" with which he intended to bait a trap. He said he did not realize Mrs. Johnson was in the line of fire. After the shooting, Mullins hid his rifle and he was not apprehended for several days. Principal witnesses int he trial were officers and others who assisted in the investigation which brought about the arrest of
the defendant. Also ballistic experts offered testimony.
rest in peace
.
Sentinel Echo Newspaper.
London, Kentucky. January 15, 1953
Mrs. Roy Johnson, School Teacher, Is Slain; 4 Questioned
Four Persons, Including a Brother And Sister, Were Questioned
At The Laurel County Jail For Several Hours Tuesday Afternoon in Connection With The Slaying of Mrs. Roy Johnson, 30, Whose Body , With a Bullet Wound in The Back, Was Found The Afternoon Before in The Drive-way of Her Farm Home, 2 Miles South of London on the Corbin Highway.
No charges were placed against the four, whose names were withheld by State Police who conducted the investigation. However it is understood that a grand jury investigation has been ordered. The four persons were picked up in Rockcastle county by troopers after it was learned that they were in an automobile parked in the vicinity of the Johnson home for several minutes and during the time of the tragedy, while a flat tire was being mended.
THIRD GRADE TEACHER: The body of Mrs. Johnson, the former Miss Lucille Scott and a third grade teacher in the London City School for the last seven years, was found on the Johnson driveway, mid-way between the highway and the home. At first it was thought she had been the victim of a heart attack. The events leading to the discovery of the body are as recounted by state and county officials: Mrs. Johnson was supposed to meet her husband, who is a teacher at Lily, at the home of her mother in London. As he came along on the school bus, he saw his farm tenant standing near the Johnson's mailbox. Johnson got off the bus instead of continuing on to London as planned, since he knew the tenant wanted to turn over a tobacco check to him.
TELEPHONED WIFE: After talking with the tenant for some time, he phoned his wife, telling her to bring the car and pick him up. Mrs. Johnson arrived with the car and instead of returning to London, told her husband he believed she would stay home. She tore off the top of a paper bag and wrote down two or three items she wanted from town. About 20 minutes later, Waldo Cole, an employee of Humfleet's drove into the Johnson driveway after fixing a tire for a motorist who had a puncture near the house. (The car with the flat was occupied by the men and woman questioned by police).
Cole related that he when he first saw the body, which was about 50 yards up a 100 yard driveway, he thought it was one of the farm animals.
Later he realized it was a person and upon investigating found it to be the body of Mrs. Johnson.
When no one answered the door at the Johnson house, he called State Police.
BULLET DISCOVERED: Trooper Lester Yaden and Laurel County Coroner, Ed Bryant, thought first that Mrs. Johnson had died from a heart attack.
Bryant, who is a funeral director and coroner in London, later discovered that she had been shot. The small caliber bullet had entered the right side and ranged upward, lodging in the heart.
Local Troopers, other than Yaden, working on the case are Elman Dizney and Don Wright, and Lt. Don Young.
These officers were augmented by State Detective John Howard, Harlan; State Detective Harold Barton, Middlesboro; State Technician Fred Watson, Frankfort; and Photographer, Beckham Stone, also Frankport.
NATIVE OF FLETCHER: Mrs. Johnson was born Aug. 2, 1922 in Fletcher, Laurel County, the daughter of L.A. and Lela Parker Scott.
She moved with her family to Corbin when a baby and sixteen years ago moved to London.
She graduated from the London High School and Sue Bennett College.
She continued her studies after becoming a teacher and last year received her degree from Union College in Barbourville.
She was a member of the First Baptist church in London.
About six years ago she was married to Mr. Johnson, also a teacher, and to them, one child was born, Jimmy, now 5, who with Mr. Johnson survive.
She also leaves her parents, Mr. and Mrs. L.A. Scott, London;
three sisters, Mrs. Bill House, London; Mrs. John Stanton, Memphis; and Miss Gladys Scott, a teacher in Mt. Sterling;
and one brother, Sgt. Quinton Scott, Westover Air Force Base, Mass.
Funeral services for Mrs. Johnson will be held at 2 o'clock this Thursday afternoon at the First Baptist Church, conducted by the
Revs. Geo. W. Phillips and E. Haun.
Interment will follow in the A.R. Dyche Memorial Park by the House Funeral Home.
===========================
Sentinel Echo Newspaper. London, Kentucky.
January 22, 1953
EDGAR MULLINS FACES MURDER COUNTY IN TEACHER'S DEATH
An indictment of wilful murder was returned Saturday in Circuit Court against Edgar Mullins, 41-year old trapper in connection with the death January 12 of Mrs. Roy Johnson, 3rd grade teacher at the London city School.
Conviction of the charge carries penalties of death, a life sentence or acquittal.
Mrs. Johnson, 30 years old, was killed instantly while walking on the driveway of her farm home, 2 miles south of here, after she was shot by a 22 caliber bullet which lodged in her heart.
Trial date for Mullins was set for the 27th day, Wednesday, February 4, of the present term of Laurel Circuit Court. Regular trial judge Ray C. Lewis disqualified himself and asked that the Court of Appeals appoint a special judge after he stated that Mullins was a relative of his wife. Mullins is free under a $5,000 bond until the trial date.
An unidentified witness had told State Police of seeing Mullins go into the woodland with a rifle about the time of the killing.
While being questioned the next day, Mullins admitted being in the woods where he said he had a trapline.
The officers found tracks in the swampy ground with peculiar markings which upon comparison were found to match the soles of Mullin's shoes.
Mullins, in early questioning denied owning a .22 rifle but said he did own several other guns, including three high-powered rifles and two shotguns.
He finally admitted that he had owned a .22, declaring he had sold it at the stock sales in London the week before.
However, he was unable to say to whom it was sold or produce any proof of the sale.
STORY CONFLICTS
State Police said this conflicted with the story of the witness who had sen Mullins Monday afternoon with a .22.
The officers again questioned him about the time he was in the woods and the time he gave did not correspond with that of the witness who saw him go there. Taken into custody Wednesday night of last week about 7:30, Mullins, State Police said, when confronted with discrepancies in his
story, admitted about 8:30 p.m. that he did own a .22 and that he had fired a shot at a bird and it was in the line with where the body was found.
He stated, the officers reported, that he knew he'd shot someone because he heard a scream and saw a body.
Mullins continued that he became excited and hid the gun under a pile of leaves and immediately left the woodland and went into London.
A taxi driver, whose name was not disclosed, said he took Mullins home late Monday. Mullins led State Police Thursday morning to where the gun was hidden in the woods. Mullins lives about one mile Southeast of London on the Camp Ground road.
He and his wife, a Japanese girl whom he married during his Army service, reside with his parents, Mr. And Mrs. James D. Mullins. He was discharged in May 1952 after seven years Army service, most recently in Korea.
During World War II, he served in the Pacific Theatre. State Police working on the case include Lt. Don Young, Detectives John Howard and W.H. Barton and Trooper Leslie Yaden. Former State Patrol Captain John Black assisted in the case.
========================
Sentinel Echo Newspaper. London, Kentucky.
April 15, 1954
KNOX COUNTY JURY TO HEAR CASE OF EDGAR MULLINS; HOUSE PRESIDES
Seventy-five persons from Knox County were summoned yesterday morning as prospective jurors in the Laurel Circuit Court to try the Edgar Mullins case after the jury list of Laurel countains became exhausted. The twelve selected from this group will decide the fate of Mullins who is charged with murder in connection with the death of Mrs. Roy Johnson, London School teacher, who was killed by a .22 bullet fired by the defendant in January 1953. The regular jury for the April term was exhausted Monday. eighty-four additional persons from the county were summoned for jury service Tuesday morning but only seven from this panel were qualified. They were dismissed after it was shown that an out-of-county jury would be necessary. The case has been called at three previous courts but was continued each time due to various circumstances. A special judge from Williamsburg presided over these hearing but became disqualified after being elected to a public office. Judge Roy W. House of Manchester was appointed by the Court of Appeals in his stead. Regular Judge Ray C. Lewis disqualified himself because of kinship of Mrs. Lewis with Mullins. Mullins, veteran of Korean War, claimed that he was shooting at a bird in the Body "bottoms" below the Johnson house, to get bait for a small animal trap he had set, and that he did not see Mrs. Johnson who was in the line of fire. She was walking along the driveway of her home 1 mile South of here on the Corbin Pike, when struck by the fatal bullet.
======================
Sentinel Echo Newspaper. London, Kentucky.
April 22, 1954
KNOX JURY GIVES MULLINS 8-YEAR TERM
Edgar Mullins, following a week long trial in the Laurel County Court, Saturday was found guilty of manslaughter and was given an 8-year prison term by a Knox County jury. Mullins, a trapper and veteran of the Korean War, was indicted for murder in connection with the death in January 1953 of Mrs. Roy Johnson, London School teacher. The charge was amended to voluntary manslaughter.
A jury was empaneled from Knox county when a panel of more than 100 Laurel countians was exhausted. The trial was presided over by Judge Roy W. House of Manchester. Regular Judge Ray C. Lewis disqualified himself due to kinship of his wife with the defendant. Atty. Robert Bird was special prosecutor. William Weaver for the defense. Mrs. Johnson, formerly Miss Lucille Scott, was injured fatally by a short from a .22 rifle as she walked along the driveway of her home, one mile south of here on the Corbin road. Mullins claimed that he fired at a bird in the Jody "bottoms" with which he intended to bait a trap. He said he did not realize Mrs. Johnson was in the line of fire. After the shooting, Mullins hid his rifle and he was not apprehended for several days. Principal witnesses int he trial were officers and others who assisted in the investigation which brought about the arrest of
the defendant. Also ballistic experts offered testimony.
rest in peace
.
London, Kentucky. January 15, 1953
Mrs. Roy Johnson, School Teacher, Is Slain; 4 Questioned
Four Persons, Including a Brother And Sister, Were Questioned
At The Laurel County Jail For Several Hours Tuesday Afternoon in Connection With The Slaying of Mrs. Roy Johnson, 30, Whose Body , With a Bullet Wound in The Back, Was Found The Afternoon Before in The Drive-way of Her Farm Home, 2 Miles South of London on the Corbin Highway.
No charges were placed against the four, whose names were withheld by State Police who conducted the investigation. However it is understood that a grand jury investigation has been ordered. The four persons were picked up in Rockcastle county by troopers after it was learned that they were in an automobile parked in the vicinity of the Johnson home for several minutes and during the time of the tragedy, while a flat tire was being mended.
THIRD GRADE TEACHER: The body of Mrs. Johnson, the former Miss Lucille Scott and a third grade teacher in the London City School for the last seven years, was found on the Johnson driveway, mid-way between the highway and the home. At first it was thought she had been the victim of a heart attack. The events leading to the discovery of the body are as recounted by state and county officials: Mrs. Johnson was supposed to meet her husband, who is a teacher at Lily, at the home of her mother in London. As he came along on the school bus, he saw his farm tenant standing near the Johnson's mailbox. Johnson got off the bus instead of continuing on to London as planned, since he knew the tenant wanted to turn over a tobacco check to him.
TELEPHONED WIFE: After talking with the tenant for some time, he phoned his wife, telling her to bring the car and pick him up. Mrs. Johnson arrived with the car and instead of returning to London, told her husband he believed she would stay home. She tore off the top of a paper bag and wrote down two or three items she wanted from town. About 20 minutes later, Waldo Cole, an employee of Humfleet's drove into the Johnson driveway after fixing a tire for a motorist who had a puncture near the house. (The car with the flat was occupied by the men and woman questioned by police).
Cole related that he when he first saw the body, which was about 50 yards up a 100 yard driveway, he thought it was one of the farm animals.
Later he realized it was a person and upon investigating found it to be the body of Mrs. Johnson.
When no one answered the door at the Johnson house, he called State Police.
BULLET DISCOVERED: Trooper Lester Yaden and Laurel County Coroner, Ed Bryant, thought first that Mrs. Johnson had died from a heart attack.
Bryant, who is a funeral director and coroner in London, later discovered that she had been shot. The small caliber bullet had entered the right side and ranged upward, lodging in the heart.
Local Troopers, other than Yaden, working on the case are Elman Dizney and Don Wright, and Lt. Don Young.
These officers were augmented by State Detective John Howard, Harlan; State Detective Harold Barton, Middlesboro; State Technician Fred Watson, Frankfort; and Photographer, Beckham Stone, also Frankport.
NATIVE OF FLETCHER: Mrs. Johnson was born Aug. 2, 1922 in Fletcher, Laurel County, the daughter of L.A. and Lela Parker Scott.
She moved with her family to Corbin when a baby and sixteen years ago moved to London.
She graduated from the London High School and Sue Bennett College.
She continued her studies after becoming a teacher and last year received her degree from Union College in Barbourville.
She was a member of the First Baptist church in London.
About six years ago she was married to Mr. Johnson, also a teacher, and to them, one child was born, Jimmy, now 5, who with Mr. Johnson survive.
She also leaves her parents, Mr. and Mrs. L.A. Scott, London;
three sisters, Mrs. Bill House, London; Mrs. John Stanton, Memphis; and Miss Gladys Scott, a teacher in Mt. Sterling;
and one brother, Sgt. Quinton Scott, Westover Air Force Base, Mass.
Funeral services for Mrs. Johnson will be held at 2 o'clock this Thursday afternoon at the First Baptist Church, conducted by the
Revs. Geo. W. Phillips and E. Haun.
Interment will follow in the A.R. Dyche Memorial Park by the House Funeral Home.
===========================
Sentinel Echo Newspaper. London, Kentucky.
January 22, 1953
EDGAR MULLINS FACES MURDER COUNTY IN TEACHER'S DEATH
An indictment of wilful murder was returned Saturday in Circuit Court against Edgar Mullins, 41-year old trapper in connection with the death January 12 of Mrs. Roy Johnson, 3rd grade teacher at the London city School.
Conviction of the charge carries penalties of death, a life sentence or acquittal.
Mrs. Johnson, 30 years old, was killed instantly while walking on the driveway of her farm home, 2 miles south of here, after she was shot by a 22 caliber bullet which lodged in her heart.
Trial date for Mullins was set for the 27th day, Wednesday, February 4, of the present term of Laurel Circuit Court. Regular trial judge Ray C. Lewis disqualified himself and asked that the Court of Appeals appoint a special judge after he stated that Mullins was a relative of his wife. Mullins is free under a $5,000 bond until the trial date.
An unidentified witness had told State Police of seeing Mullins go into the woodland with a rifle about the time of the killing.
While being questioned the next day, Mullins admitted being in the woods where he said he had a trapline.
The officers found tracks in the swampy ground with peculiar markings which upon comparison were found to match the soles of Mullin's shoes.
Mullins, in early questioning denied owning a .22 rifle but said he did own several other guns, including three high-powered rifles and two shotguns.
He finally admitted that he had owned a .22, declaring he had sold it at the stock sales in London the week before.
However, he was unable to say to whom it was sold or produce any proof of the sale.
STORY CONFLICTS
State Police said this conflicted with the story of the witness who had sen Mullins Monday afternoon with a .22.
The officers again questioned him about the time he was in the woods and the time he gave did not correspond with that of the witness who saw him go there. Taken into custody Wednesday night of last week about 7:30, Mullins, State Police said, when confronted with discrepancies in his
story, admitted about 8:30 p.m. that he did own a .22 and that he had fired a shot at a bird and it was in the line with where the body was found.
He stated, the officers reported, that he knew he'd shot someone because he heard a scream and saw a body.
Mullins continued that he became excited and hid the gun under a pile of leaves and immediately left the woodland and went into London.
A taxi driver, whose name was not disclosed, said he took Mullins home late Monday. Mullins led State Police Thursday morning to where the gun was hidden in the woods. Mullins lives about one mile Southeast of London on the Camp Ground road.
He and his wife, a Japanese girl whom he married during his Army service, reside with his parents, Mr. And Mrs. James D. Mullins. He was discharged in May 1952 after seven years Army service, most recently in Korea.
During World War II, he served in the Pacific Theatre. State Police working on the case include Lt. Don Young, Detectives John Howard and W.H. Barton and Trooper Leslie Yaden. Former State Patrol Captain John Black assisted in the case.
========================
Sentinel Echo Newspaper. London, Kentucky.
April 15, 1954
KNOX COUNTY JURY TO HEAR CASE OF EDGAR MULLINS; HOUSE PRESIDES
Seventy-five persons from Knox County were summoned yesterday morning as prospective jurors in the Laurel Circuit Court to try the Edgar Mullins case after the jury list of Laurel countains became exhausted. The twelve selected from this group will decide the fate of Mullins who is charged with murder in connection with the death of Mrs. Roy Johnson, London School teacher, who was killed by a .22 bullet fired by the defendant in January 1953. The regular jury for the April term was exhausted Monday. eighty-four additional persons from the county were summoned for jury service Tuesday morning but only seven from this panel were qualified. They were dismissed after it was shown that an out-of-county jury would be necessary. The case has been called at three previous courts but was continued each time due to various circumstances. A special judge from Williamsburg presided over these hearing but became disqualified after being elected to a public office. Judge Roy W. House of Manchester was appointed by the Court of Appeals in his stead. Regular Judge Ray C. Lewis disqualified himself because of kinship of Mrs. Lewis with Mullins. Mullins, veteran of Korean War, claimed that he was shooting at a bird in the Body "bottoms" below the Johnson house, to get bait for a small animal trap he had set, and that he did not see Mrs. Johnson who was in the line of fire. She was walking along the driveway of her home 1 mile South of here on the Corbin Pike, when struck by the fatal bullet.
======================
Sentinel Echo Newspaper. London, Kentucky.
April 22, 1954
KNOX JURY GIVES MULLINS 8-YEAR TERM
Edgar Mullins, following a week long trial in the Laurel County Court, Saturday was found guilty of manslaughter and was given an 8-year prison term by a Knox County jury. Mullins, a trapper and veteran of the Korean War, was indicted for murder in connection with the death in January 1953 of Mrs. Roy Johnson, London School teacher. The charge was amended to voluntary manslaughter.
A jury was empaneled from Knox county when a panel of more than 100 Laurel countians was exhausted. The trial was presided over by Judge Roy W. House of Manchester. Regular Judge Ray C. Lewis disqualified himself due to kinship of his wife with the defendant. Atty. Robert Bird was special prosecutor. William Weaver for the defense. Mrs. Johnson, formerly Miss Lucille Scott, was injured fatally by a short from a .22 rifle as she walked along the driveway of her home, one mile south of here on the Corbin road. Mullins claimed that he fired at a bird in the Jody "bottoms" with which he intended to bait a trap. He said he did not realize Mrs. Johnson was in the line of fire. After the shooting, Mullins hid his rifle and he was not apprehended for several days. Principal witnesses int he trial were officers and others who assisted in the investigation which brought about the arrest of
the defendant. Also ballistic experts offered testimony.
rest in peace
.
Bio by: Sam
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