South Baltimore — Carrington Sturgis and Frank Barnett were convicted by a Baltimore City jury for their roles in the murder of William Johnson in 2016. Sturgis was found guilty of first degree murder; using a handgun in a crime of violence; wearing, carrying, or transporting a handgun (WCT HG); being a felon in possession of a handgun; and conspiracy to WCT HG. Barnett was found guilty of WCT HG, being a felon in possession of a handgun, and conspiracy to WCT HG.
Assistant State’s Attorneys Bethany Durand and Jeffrey Hann prosecuted the case.
On July 10, 2016, at approximately 6:30 a.m., officers were called to a residence in the 600 block of East Patapsco Avenue for a report of a deceased man inside of the home. Upon arrival, police located William Johnson in the living room. He was suffering from a gunshot wound to the head and was declared dead on the scene. A .32 caliber bullet was recovered from Johnson’s body during the autopsy.
Several witnesses told investigators that Barnett and Sturgis entered the home and demanded money from Johnson. Johnson responded to the men, claiming that he didn’t have “the money” but would get it to them later.
Barnett was holding a gun and began hitting Johnson with it while Sturgis assaulted Johnson with his fists. The two attempted to take money from the witnesses, but they didn’t have any. Sturgis then took Johnson to the rear of the house. When they returned, Sturgis told Barnett that he had tried to shoot Johnson twice but that the gun wouldn’t fire. Sturgis then pointed the gun at Johnson’s head and fired, the gun went off and Johnson was shot in the head. Sturgis then fled the location. Barnett stayed behind and made one of the witnesses drive him from the location.
A witness went to a local business and asked for them to call 911.Another witness waited a period of time then flagged down a police officer to tell him that the murder had occurred and who had committed it.
“This brutal execution was carried out in front of a group of people, who didn’t cower but called the police and identified the perpetrators,” said State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby. “I commend their bravery and expect for these defendants to face severe consequences for this despicable crime.”
Barnett faces 21 years in prison and Sturgis is facing Life plus 38 years. They are scheduled for sentencing on April 9, 2018.
