Justin R. Bennett, a 23-year-old Kansas City man was found guilty of first-degree murder and armed criminal action Wednesday, even though his defense attorney said Bennett acted in self defense when he stabbed an Independence woman 106 times.
The jury agreed instead with Jackson County prosecutors who said Bennett was guilty of premeditated murder in the Sept. 27, 2008, murder of Keona N. Johnson at a home on 205 E. South Ave.
During the trial’s opening statements, Tammy Dickinson, chief trial assistant in the Jackson County prosecutor’s office, said Bennett told a friend several days before Johnson’s murder he would “rather be in jail than have Keona be alive.” The statement, prosecutors said, showed signs of premeditation.
Bennett’s sentencing will take place at a yet-determined time and date, according to the Jackson County prosecutor’s office.
Johnson and Bennett had a child together, Justin Bennett Jr., in May 2008.
During an interview with Independence Police Department detectives, Bennett Sr. denied any involvement or knowledge in Johnson’s death, according to the probable cause statement.
In November 2008, nearly one year prior to the date of his conviction, Bennett pleaded not guilty to allegations of murder.
