Joseph Robert Bittengle, Jr., a beloved 50-year-old Male professor, was a man dedicated to his faith, his family, and his students. Originally from Ohio, he had built a respected life in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was an Associate Professor and the Division Director of Radiologic Imaging Sciences at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). A devoted father to his two sons, Joseph and Adam, he was also an active member and subdeacon of the Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.
His colleagues and students remembered him as one of the best instructors they had ever known, a man who genuinely loved his work and cared deeply for every student he mentored.
The evening of December 18, 2008, brought a violent and tragic end to Joseph's life. He and his mother, Hazel, were in the parking lot of their apartment complex when they were approached by a young man. The assailant robbed Joseph of his wallet and Hazel of her purse. During the robbery, the man shot Joseph with a.380-caliber handgun before fleeing the scene. The senseless act of violence cut short the life of a man known for his kindness and dedication, leaving his family and community in shock and mourning.
The investigation into Joseph's murder soon connected it to a string of violent robberies and shootings that had been terrorizing the Little Rock area since September 2008. The perpetrator, Brandon Dewayne Johnson, then 20 years old, was on a crime spree that targeted numerous individuals, many of whom were Hispanic. Johnson's violent rampage ultimately left three men dead and eight others wounded. He was apprehended on January 15, 2009, bringing an end to the months of fear he had inflicted upon the community.
During questioning, Johnson admitted to the robberies and shootings. He later revealed that he had targeted Joseph Bittengle because he looked vulnerable. The series of crimes was characterized by a cold-blooded willingness to use deadly force for small gains. Johnson’s violent spree concluded on January 13, 2009, when he killed two other men, Akshaya Nandam and Eric German, on the same day.
In July 2010, to avoid a mandatory sentence of life without parole on capital murder charges, Brandon Dewayne Johnson reached a plea agreement with prosecutors after they consulted with the victims' families. He pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder, as well as charges of first-degree battery, aggravated robbery, robbery, and theft of property. When asked by the judge for his motive, Johnson initially offered that it was a result of "bad judgement" and poor choices in friends, but then admitted he was lying. He was sentenced to 100 years in prison with the possibility of parole.
Joseph Bittengle's legacy endures through the lives he touched. In his memory, the Joseph R. Bittengle Scholarship Fund was established at the UAMS College of Health Related Professions to support future generations of students in the field he loved. His funeral was held at the Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, and he was laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery in his native Ohio. Brandon Dewayne Johnson is currently incarcerated at the Cummins Unit in Arkansas. He will not be eligible for parole until October 2071, at the age of 83.
