Emanuel Johnson

Case overview

Emanuel Johnson was convicted of First-Degree Murder and was sentenced to death.

The police discovered the body of 73-year-old Iris White on October 4, 1988. The victim was found undressed from the waist down. White was stabbed 24 times, and the back of her head showed evidence of blunt trauma. The fatal stab wounds penetrated her heart and lungs. There were also non-fatal wounds near the genital area. White’s body displayed evidence of defensive wounds.

At the crime scene, police discovered an open living room window and a screen that had been cut open. Emanuel Johnson’s fingerprints were found on that windowsill. Two pubic hairs were recovered from the scene. The pubic hairs bore the same characteristics as Johnson’s under a microscope, but an expert testified that a perfect match was not possible to obtain.

Several years prior to the murder, Johnson had been hired by White to work on her yard.

Johnson was interrogated on October 12, 1988. During the session, the police obtained a taped confession. In the confession, Johnson said that he went to White’s house to discuss lawn maintenance. When White opened the door, Johnson seized her and strangled her until she was unconscious. Johnson then stabbed White numerous times. Johnson left the residence through the front door, locking himself out in the process. Johnson stated that he realized, once he was locked out, that he had neglected to steal White’s wallet. Approximately 20 minutes elapsed before he cut the screen and entered the house through the living room window. Johnson stated that he discarded the wallet in a specific area. A road surveyor stumbled upon the wallet at same location that Johnson said he left it.

Timeline

• 10/04/1988 — Police discovered the body of 73-year-old Iris White.
• 10/12/1988 — Johnson was interrogated, and the police obtained a taped confession.
• 11/04/1988 — Johnson was indicted for the First-Degree Murder (Count I) and for Armed Burglary in Case 88-3198 (Jackie McCahon).
• 01/17/1988 — Offense date listed for multiple prior offenses: 1st Deg Murder (Attempted), Armed Burglary, and Robbery w/ a Deadly Weapon.
• 05/24/1991 — Indicted with Count I: First-Degree Murder.
• 05/30/1991 — Defendant was found guilty of First-Degree Murder.
• 06/28/1991 — Jury recommended Death by a vote of 8-4; Johnson was sentenced to death for Count I (First-Degree Murder).
• 07/29/1991 — A Direct Appeal was filed with the Florida Supreme Court.
• 07/13/1995 — The Florida Supreme Court affirmed the conviction and sentence of Death.
• 02/21/1996 — A Petition for a Writ of Certiorari was filed with the United States Supreme Court.
• 04/22/1996 — The petition for a writ of certiorari was denied.
• 03/24/1997 — A 3.850 Motion was filed with the State Circuit Court.
• 09/15/2003 — The 3.850 motion was amended.
• 12/23/2003 — The 3.850 motion was amended.

Trial

Indictment

On 11/04/88, Johnson was indicted. The trial summary listed:

• Count I: First-Degree Murder

The information also indicated the defendant was indicted on 11/04/88 for the First-Degree Murder and Armed Burglary of Jackie McCahon.

Verdict

On 05/30/91, the defendant was found guilty of First-Degree Murder.

Jury recommendation

The jury recommended Death by a vote of 8-4.

Sentencing

On 06/28/91, Johnson was sentenced as follows:

• Count I: First-Degree Murder — Death

The record also stated that the defendant was charged and convicted of Armed Burglary and sentenced to life in prison (Case # 88-3198). It further stated that on 06/28/91, the defendant was sentenced to Death and Life in prison, respectively, for his crimes.

Appeals

Direct appeal

A Direct Appeal was filed with the Florida Supreme Court on 07/29/91. The issues raised included whether the defendant’s confession was involuntary and whether the trial court erred in allowing the confession to be admitted as evidence. The Florida Supreme Court found all of the claims either harmless or without error and affirmed the conviction and sentence of Death on 07/13/95.

United States Supreme Court

A Petition for a Writ of Certiorari was filed with the United States Supreme Court on 02/21/96 and was denied on 04/22/96.

Post-conviction motion

A 3.850 Motion was filed with the State Circuit Court on 03/24/97 and was amended on 09/15/03 and 12/23/03. The Motion was currently pending.

Other details

Victim

• Iris White, age 73.

Physical evidence and scene facts

• Police discovered an open living room window and a screen that had been cut open.
• Emanuel Johnson’s fingerprints were found on the windowsill.
• Two pubic hairs were recovered from the scene; an expert testified that a perfect match was not possible to obtain.

Confession details

Johnson said he went to White’s house to discuss lawn maintenance; when White opened the door, he seized her and strangled her until she was unconscious; he stabbed White numerous times; he left through the front door and locked himself out; about 20 minutes elapsed before he cut the screen and entered through the living room window; Johnson said he discarded White’s wallet in a specific area; a road surveyor stumbled upon the wallet at the same location Johnson said he left it.

Defense and sentencing participants (as listed)

• Sentencing Judge: The Honorable Andrew Owens
• Trial Attorney: Tobey Hockett – Assistant Public Defender
• Direct Appeal attorneys: Stephen Krosschell & Robert F. Moeller – Assistant Public Defenders
• Collateral Appeals attorneys: Mark Gruber & David Hendry – CCRC-M

Prior incarceration history in Florida (as listed)

The record listed prior incarceration history in the State of Florida with the following entries:

• Offense Date 01/17/1988 — 1st Deg Murder (Attempted); Sentence Date 06/28/1991; Case No. 88-3202; Life sentence
• Offense Date 01/17/1988 — Armed Burglary; Sentence Date 06/28/1991; Case No. 88-3202; Life sentence
• Offense Date 01/17/1988 — Robbery w/ a Deadly Weapon; Sentence Date 06/28/1991; Case No. 88-3202; Life sentence
• Offense Date 05/28/1988 — Burglary; Sentence Date 06/28/1991; Case No. 88-3246; 15Y 0M 0D
• Offense Date 05/28/1988 — Robbery with a Deadly Weapon; Sentence Date 06/28/1991; Case No. 88-3246; 15Y 0M 0D

Case and custody identifiers (as listed)

• DC# 338043
• DOB: 09/18/63
• Twelfth Judicial Circuit, Sarasota County
• Case: Case 88 - 3199
• Florida Supreme Court opinion numbers listed: 78336 and 79337
• Date of offense: 10/04/88
• Date of sentence: 06/28/91

Additional disposition information (as listed)

The record included: “DISPOSITION: Condemned on two counts, 1991; five life terms + 30 years on lesser charges.” It also included: “MOTIVE: CE” and “MO: Killed burglary/holdup victims.” It listed: “SEX: M RACE: B TYPE: T.”