Suspect in Poplar Bluff murder released on bond

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo -- A Poplar Bluff man charged with murdering his sister-in-law's boyfriend during an verbal dispute at his rural Butler County home was released on bond Monday, the Daily American Republic reported.

Randy Paul Johnson was released from the Butler County Justice Center after posting a $10,000 bond.

Johnson had been held on a $500,000 cash bond since he was charged with the Class A felony of second-degree murder and the unclassified felony of armed criminal action.

The 54-year-old resident of the 1500 block of County Road 428 is accused of killing Gary Williamson, 60, on March 17.

Johnson's release came within hours of him appearing before Associate Circuit Judge Thomas Swindle for a bond reduction hearing.

The hearing was held after Johnson's attorney, Mark Richardson, filed a motion asking the court to reduce the bond.

In his motion, Richardson told the court Johnson was "from this area and has family and friends living in Poplar Bluff, Mo., with whom he will stay if he is able to make bond."

Further, Richardson said, Johnson does not "present a flight risk" and will appear at all specified times and places in connection with the defense of his case.

The state, represented by Assistant Attorney General Megan Schueler, who was appointed special prosecutor in the case, filed a motion in opposition to a reduction in bond or in the alternative a request for additional conditions of bond.

In her motion, Schueler said, Johnson allegedly shot his "brother-in-law in the head on the porch of his home. He did this in close proximity to his 16-year-old son, as well as his wife.

"There is no evidence of any problems between (Johnson) and the victim."

The witnesses, according to Schueler, are Johnson's family members, including his sister-in-law, wife and son.

"(Johnson) poses a danger to the witnesses in this case, as he has every reason to attempt to persuade, intimidate or pressure his wife and son against testifying in this matter," Schueler said. "He also poses a danger to the community in that he shot a man, his brother-in-law, in the head, without provocation."

Schueler said the bond, as was originally set, "accurately reflects (Johnson's) dangerousness and should not be lowered.

" ... The state purports killing a relative, without provocation, at the family home, around (his) 16-year-old son, is a circumstance that demonstrates dangerous."

Further, Schueler said, Johnson has "every reason to flee the jurisdiction. He has shot his brother-in-law at his home, essentially told his sister-in-law, Rebecca Boyd Williamson, as well as Butler County sheriff's deputies, that he shot the victim, and he is not seeking to go back to the family home."

Johnson's actions, Schueler said, have "alienated" him from his immediate family, which "gravitates toward (his) being able to uproot and leave."

Schueler said Boyd, who resides in Texas, could not attend the hearing, but her statement in opposition to a bond reduction was attached to the state's motion.

Should the court reduce Johnson's bond, Schueler asked the court to add several conditions.

Those conditions included Johnson having no contact, in any form, with the state's witnesses and being supervised by pretrial services with the Board of Probation and Parole.

Further, Schueler asked that Johnson not be allowed to consume alcohol and to be tested, at least weekly, for the use of alcohol or other controlled substances.

Schueler also asked the court to order Johnson not to live in a home with firearms, pellet guns or any other weapon and not to possess, carry, touch or be near any firearms.

In addition, Schueler asked for Johnson to be screened for alcohol and/or controlled substance addiction and submit to treatment as directed by pretrial release agents.

Schueler asked for Johnson to be placed on electronic monitoring, with strict restrictions on travel, and not to leave the Poplar Bluff area without the permission of the court.

Schueler also asked for Johnson to surrender his passport, if he has one, to the court upon making bond.

After reviewing the motions and hearing from the attorneys, Swindle took the case under advisement. He subsequently granted the defense's motion.

In his order, Swindle set Johnson's bond at $100,000 with 10 percent cash deposited with the court in lieu of a surety bond, as well as several restrictions.

Upon his release, Swindle said, Johnson will reside with his parents at their home on Roxie Road.

"There shall be no firearms of any kind or any type of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs located at the premises," Swindle said. "(Johnson) shall not possess, touch, consume or otherwise have under his dominion and control any firearms, alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs."

Johnson, Swindle said, also "shall be restricted" to the family residence, except for the following conditions:

* To travel to and from his residence (off) Route PP for the sole purpose of performing maintenance and repairs to the family structure. He shall not be present at the former family residence at any time wherein his spouse or minor child are present at that location.

* Johnson shall be allowed to transport his parents to and from scheduled doctor's appointments and/or hospital admissions.

* Johnson shall not leave his parents' residence for any other purpose without the prior express written consent of the court.

Swindle said Johnson also was not to have any contact with his wife or minor child, other than to communicate regarding financial or parental issues.

"(Johnson) is specifically prohibited from discussing this case with his wife or minor child or any other persons other than his attorney," Swindle said.

Further, Swindle said, Johnson is to have no contact with the "alleged victim or his family, telephonically, in person or otherwise."

"Any violation of these conditions shall result in the court issuing an immediate capias warrant for (Johnson's) re-incarceration," Swindle said.

Swindle set Johnson's preliminary hearing for 11 a.m. May 3.