In a tragic turn of events on the evening of April 17, 2017, 57-year-old Joanne Redding of Griffin, Georgia, was found deceased inside a residence on Terry Drive. Spalding County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a shooting at approximately 7:40 p.m. and discovered Ms. Redding with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite the quick response of emergency medical services, she was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation into her death quickly revealed a case of domestic violence.
The suspect, identified as Joanne Redding's 53-year-old fiancé, Johnny Johnson Jr., was located at the scene and taken into custody without incident. He was subsequently charged with murder, malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and burglary. The incident, which took place in a neighbor's home, was immediately considered to be domestic-related by investigators. Sheriff Darrell Dix stated that there was no doubt Johnson intended to kill Redding.
In January 2018, as his trial was set to begin with jury selection underway, Johnny Johnson Jr. pleaded guilty to one count of malice murder for the shooting death of his fiancée, Joanne Redding. Following his plea, he was sentenced to life in prison. During the proceedings, members of Ms. Redding's family, including her cousin, daughter, and son, had the opportunity to speak. District Attorney Ben Coker described Ms. Redding as a 'caring, loving woman who was loved very much by her family' and expressed hope that the resolution would bring them a sense of justice and peace.
