Jordan Linn Graham

Case record: Jordan Linn Graham

Background

Jordan Linn Graham was 22 years old and married to Cody Johnson, who was 25.

Graham admitted she “got cold feet” before committing murder eight days after her marriage.

The offence

Graham admitted to pushing Cody Johnson off the side of a cliff in Glacier National Park. Johnson fell about 200 feet and died.

Graham said the pushing happened during an argument.

Graham told investigators and described that she and Johnson had been arguing while walking in the Loop Trail area of Glacier National Park. She said Johnson grabbed her arm, she turned around, removed his hand from her arm, and “due to her anger, she pushed Johnson with both hands in the back, and as a result, he fell face first off the cliff,” as an affidavit stated. She also said she “just pushed” and that it was “definitely reckless with an extreme disregard” for life.

In her FBI interview, Graham said she “pushed him and I took off,” and told an FBI agent that “It was a quick thing, I just wanted to get him off me.” She said “I don’t feel like I killed him; I mean I pushed him, but it was an accident.”

Investigation

Graham initially told authorities that Johnson left unexpectedly with friends and claimed she did not know where he had gone.

She initially claimed Johnson left late on July 7 with unidentified friends in a dark-colored car with Washington state license plates.

Graham also sent a message from a mythical “Tony” that Johnson was never coming back.

Investigators later determined Graham sent an email to herself from a bogus account.

Prosecutors planned to show taped interviews in court, but the jury did not have to consider the evidence after she accepted the plea.

Graham acknowledged lying about Johnson’s death and providing false statements when interviewed by authorities.

A court document set out that, as Graham described it, she and Johnson argued on July 7, he grabbed her arm, she pushed him, and he fell face first off the cliff.

The investigation included forensic issues involving a black cloth near Johnson’s body. Prosecutors claimed the cloth might have been used to blindfold Johnson, and said an FBI forensic scientist tested the cloth and found human hair embedded in it. Defense attorneys intended to argue against use of the cloth as evidence, saying it was handled inappropriately during the investigation.

At trial, defense attorneys described dramatic evidence in the courtroom that included video clips and pictures from the couple’s wedding period.

A deputy coroner testified that Johnson had an 8-inch gash on his forehead. The coroner also testified that Johnson was not wearing his wedding ring when he was found at the bottom of a ravine, and said Johnson also had lacerations on his legs in addition to the laceration on his forehead. The coroner also testified that Johnson’s shoes were found some distance from his body.

Johnson’s body was recovered from the steep cliffs below the park’s Loop Trail, requiring a helicopter for retrieval.

Arrest / pretrial status

Graham was charged with first-degree and second-degree murder and with making a false statement.

A judge ordered Graham released from jail under home detention with an electronic monitoring device and placed her in the custody of her parents while she awaited trial. The order included a requirement that she “undergo mental health evaluation and complete any recommended treatment.” Prosecutors filed a motion opposing her release, citing risk to the community, the seriousness of the charged offense, her repeated false statements, and her mental health.

Trial

Graham faced second-degree murder charges.

A deal was reached in Graham’s case during the period when the trial had begun, before a jury considered its verdict.

Graham and prosecutors reached an agreement in which Graham would plead guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for a three-decade sentence. She later requested a new trial, claiming the agreement was “illusory” and a “hollow formality” after she read a memo that prosecutors called the killing premeditated and asked for a sentence of 50 years to life in prison. The judge denied her request for a new trial and stuck to the plea terms.

During trial-related proceedings, Graham’s maid of honor, Kimberly Martinez, testified that Graham had texted her expressing doubts about getting married and messages about what Johnson would ask her to do. Martinez testified that Graham texted that Johnson would ask her to “do stuff I’m not wanting to”. When Martinez told her to tell Johnson how she felt, Graham responded: “I feel like it’s my job to make him happy, even if I’m miserable.”

In interviews and statements, Graham described her behavior and what happened during the argument. She also said she drove home without seeking help and sent text messages to friends on the drive back.

Graham stated: “I wasn’t thinking about where we were,” and “I just pushed.” She also said after Johnson grabbed her arm that “I said, ‘No,’” and “I said I’m not going to let this happen this time. I’m going to defend myself. So I let go and I pushed and he went over. And then I took off and went home.”

Graham told a friend or contact that, if she did not hear from her, “something happened,” and she sent: “But dead serious if u [sic] don’t hear from me at all again tonight, something happened.”

In a message Graham sent after receiving an email, Graham told police: “I got an email this morning from some guy,” and “All it said was, ‘Tony.’”

Sentencing

Graham pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for a three-decade sentence, and she waived a first-degree murder charge and a lying to investigators charge.

On March 27, 2013, U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy sentenced Graham to 30 years in prison.

The judge insisted the Kalispell woman never apologized for the murder and showed zero remorse, and said: “She was a normal person, at least on the surface,” and “But how does a normal person kill her husband of eight days?”

Molloy’s sentence included no possibility of parole.

After sentencing, Graham told the court she had “no answers” for “why I didn’t make different decisions.” Graham said: “It was a moment of complete shock and panic,” and “I have no other explanation.”

Appeals

Graham requested a new trial after reading a memo that prosecutors called the killing premeditated and asked for a sentence of 50 years to life in prison. The judge denied her request and kept the plea terms resulting in the agreed-upon 30 years behind bars.

Outcome

Graham entered a guilty plea to second-degree murder.

Graham received a sentence of 30 years in prison.

Other details

People and testimony

Cameron Frederickson, a friend of Cody Johnson, said he suspected Graham almost instantly and that he was wary of the relationship.

Lytaunie Blasdel said she “never ever expected her to be capable of hurting someone,” and said “Especially someone who would worship her. He would have given her anything at the drop of a hat.”

Tracy Maness said Johnson was excited about his wedding and in love with Graham, adding: “He was very in love with Jordan,” and “And he was really excited about starting the next chapter of his life.” Maness also said: “Nobody is shocked at all ... She’d been telling people she knew she never wanted to be married, she just wanted to have a wedding, and that’s apparently what they were arguing about.”

Johnson’s mother testified that her son was excited to marry Graham and that she tried to console Graham after Johnson’s death.

Sherry Johnson said: “I put my arm around her and said everything will be OK,” and “Cody’s with Jesus now.” She also said Graham “stayed quiet and did not respond.”

Communications and conduct described in interviews

Graham posted a photo on Instagram from their wedding day and wrote: “Miss you so much Cody! Not a day will go by where I don’t think about you!! You will live on in my heart forever!! I know you’re in a better place now looking down on me!! You’re my angel!! Love you with all my heart and soul!! See you again one day!!!”

Graham tweeted a photo of the ring and wrote: “He proposed!! Best early Christmas present ever!!”

Timeline of dated events

• June 29, 2013 — Graham and Cody Johnson wed.
• December 2012 — The couple got engaged, according to references to an engagement announcement.
• July 7, 2013 — Graham and Johnson argued while walking in Glacier National Park near the Loop Trail area; Graham said Johnson grabbed her arm and she pushed him from a cliff; Johnson fell about 200 feet and later died.
• July 8, 2013 — Johnson was reported missing when he failed to show up for work.
• July 9, 2013 — Graham was interviewed by authorities and said a dark colored car was pulling out of the driveway after she received a text that Johnson was heading out with a friend from out of town.
• July 10, 2013 — Graham reported receiving an email about Johnson leaving with three friends, going hiking, and falling and being dead.
• July 11, 2013 — Graham reported the discovery of Johnson’s body to a park ranger.
• July 12, 2013 — Johnson’s body was recovered after a retrieval using a helicopter.
• December 12, 2013 — Graham pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for waiving a first-degree murder charge and a lying to investigators charge.
• December 16, 2013 — Video evidence against Graham began with clips of the couple’s wedding and included interviews with investigators from the days after Johnson’s disappearance.
• December 18, 2013 — Reporting described Graham’s alleged fear regarding sex with her husband.
• March 27, 2014 — Reporting described the March 27, 2013 sentencing to 30 years in prison.