Ruben Johnson
Murderer
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- Gender
- male
- Country
- USA
- Location
- Maricopa County, Arizona, USA
- Date of birth
- April 26, 1979
- Age at first offence
- 21
- Characteristics
- armed robbery
- Victim profile
- Stephanie Smith
- Method of murder
- Shooting
- Date(s) of murder
- November 15, 2000
- Years active
- 2000
- Date of arrest
- —
- Status
-
Sentenced to death
Sentenced to death on December 23, 2003
Overview
Ruben Johnson was sentenced to death on December 23, 2003 in Maricopa County CR2001-001604.
The offence
On November 15, 2000, Ruben M. Johnson shot and killed Stephanie Smith. The killing was committed to prevent her from testifying against Jarvis Ross, the co-defendant in count IV. Stephanie Smith was shot and killed in her home in front of her four year old son while her other children were asleep in the home.
Ruben M. Johnson was also found to have assisted a criminal syndicate/criminal street gang and entered Stephanie Smith’s home illegally.
On November 7, 2000, Ruben M. Johnson, along with co-defendant Jarvis Ross, robbed the Affordable Massage Parlor. They used weapons to threaten Stephanie Smith and Russell Biondo, occupants of the business.
Sentencing
In Maricopa County CR2001-001604, Ruben Johnson received the following sentences:
- Count 1: First Degree Murder of Stephanie Smith, committed on November 15, 2000 — sentenced to Death.
- Count 2: Assisting a Criminal Syndicate/Criminal Street Gang — sentenced to 17 years.
- Count 3: First Degree Burglary — sentenced to 24 years.
- Count 4: Armed Robbery — sentence stated as part of the case counts listing; the record provided identifies the offence and conduct on November 7, 2000 but does not state an explicit term for Count 4.
Other details
Ruben M. Johnson acted as a member of the Lindo Park Crips. The record also indicated that the killing occurred to prevent Stephanie Smith from testifying against Jarvis Ross, the co-defendant in count IV.
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