A prominent Texas judge has disappeared from the courtroom after presiding over some of the state’s biggest trials, raising concerns about her well-being, according to reports.
Judge Kelli Johnson has been absent from the 178th District Court since May 1, reported KTRK.
Johnson oversaw several of the state’s largest trials and convicted a man of capital murder in the 2020 beating death of an 8-year-old boy in April.
His absence has sparked speculation about his mental health, with a court employee telling the local news station that he was exhibiting “manic behavior.”
“She is a danger to herself and the community,” the employee said.
Prominent Texas Judge Kelli Johnson has disappeared from the courtroom after presiding over some of the state’s biggest trials.
Johnson (right) is the first openly gay judge elected in Harris County and has two children, one 12 years old and the other 10 months old, with his wife Hilary Bartlett (left).
A Houston police report obtained by KTRK revealed that Johnson was involved in an incident near her home on May 4.
One officer cited in the report a “disturbance/CIT,” which is a police acronym for crisis intervention.
Visiting judges have been covering Johnson’s court record, including retired Judge Jim Wallace presiding over a trial in his place.
Amanda Cain, director of communications for the Administrative Office of the District Courts, said, “Judge Johnson is absent on personal matters.”
Johnson is one of the longest-serving current judges in Harris County; She was first elected in 2016 and voted for a second term in 2020.
She is the first openly gay judge elected in Harris County and has two children, one 12 years old and the other 10 months old, with her wife Hilary Bartlett, according to her biography.
In April, after 20 minutes of deliberation, Johnson convicted Brian Coulter, 34, of capital murder for beating to death his girlfriend’s 8-year-old son, Kendrick Lee, in 2020.
Johnson (center left) is one of the longest-serving current judges in Harris County; She was first elected in 2016 and voted for a second term in 2020.
Visiting judges have been covering Johnson’s court record, including retired judge Jim Wallace (pictured) presiding over a trial in his place.
Johnson previously worked as an assistant district attorney for 17 years and earned her law degree from South Texas College of Law.
As a judge, he serves as an administrative judge for the Criminal Board and is on the Texas Special Courts Association Board of the State of Texas.
His last Facebook post on his official account was on April 19 inviting voters to attend a fundraiser for Democratic criminal court judicial candidates.
In April, after 20 minutes of jury deliberation, Brian Coulter, 34, was found guilty of capital murder for beating to death his girlfriend’s 8-year-old son, Kendrick Lee, in 2020, leading to Johnson to sentence him to life in prison. prison.
“This is probably one of the most horrific events I have ever had to witness, hear and imagine,” Johnson said during his sentencing.
‘Sir, those kids chased me last week. I hope, sir, that when I am in prison, those same boys who have tormented my mind will torment yours.
Coulter will serve life in prison for beating the child to death inside the couple’s apartment at the CityParc II complex in Houston on November 20, 2020.
Coulter (pictured) will serve life in prison for beating the child to death inside the couple’s apartment at the CityParc II complex in Houston on November 20, 2020.
Johnson presided over all three trials of the son of a former NFL player, AJ Armstrong (pictured), who was convicted of killing his parents when he was 16 in 2016.
Prosecutors said that after beating the boy to death, Coulter and his girlfriend, Gloria Williams, moved out of the apartment and left their three other children to live alone with Lee’s remains.
Johnson presided over all three trials of the son of a former NFL player who was convicted of killing his parents when he was 16 in 2016.
After two mistrials, Antonio Armstrong Jr. (AJ) was found guilty of murdering his parents, Dawn and Antonio Sr., in August.
Antonio Sr. was a linebacker for the Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers.
In 2016, Dawn and Antonio Sr. were shot in the head and had pillows placed over their faces while they slept in their Texas home.