-
A prominent divorce attorney based in Springfield is facing sex charges related to the alleged sexual assault of one of his clients.
 |
| Lynn and Darryl Johnson |
Darryl Brent Johnson, 51, who operates the law firm Johnson and Johnson with his wife, Lynn, was charged with deviate sexual assault last week in Greene County.
-
According to the probable cause statement, the client, H.M.L., told investigators that when she met with Johnson at his office on April 15, 2010, Johnson asked if he could touch her breast. She says she said "no" and as she was turning a doorknob to leave the office, Johnson allegedly put his hand down her blouse and groped her.
-
The woman also alleges that on August 24, 2010, she and Johnson attended a deposition with attorney Shannon Grisham and that during the deposition Johnson slipped her a bright green note with M.I.L.F written on it. That acronym is widely know as Mother I'd Like To F**k. H.M.L says Johnson quickly took the note back and they proceeded with the deposition.
After the deposition, Johnson and the woman went back to Johnson's office and were in the conference room reviewing paperwork when Johnson allegedly came up from behind her and pushed her with the front of his body into the table. When the woman pushed back Johnson gestured to his erect penis against her and said "look at what you've done."
The woman said she was shocked and as she attempted to leave Johnson opened the waistband of her slacks and put his hand in her underwear and touched her inappropriately, according to court records. She told authorities Johnson had been drinking and offered her a drink, which she refused, when the alleged incident in August of 2010 took place.
According to Springfield police spokesman Matt Brown the SPD received a call about the alleged incident on Sept. 21, 2010. Several meetings with the victim were set up and canceled, according to Brown and the case made its way to prosecutors in June of 2011.
On October 4, 2011, Greene County prosecutor Dan Patterson filed a motion asking that the Attorney General appoint special prosecutor in the case because of his professional relationship and friendship with Johnson. Assistant Missouri Attorney General Joe Schlotzhauer filed the charges in Greene County Associate circuit court on June 21st.
Patterson served with Johnson in the Judge Advocate General Corps of the Missouri National Guard, according to the Springfield News Leader. Johnson also contributed to Patterson’s campaign when he ran for prosecutor and hosted a meet-the-candidate event.
Court documents in the case were sealed at first because Johnson was unaware of the criminal investigation involving him. Yesterday, (06-26-12) the documents were unsealed by the court.
Johnson’s attorney, Stacie Bilyeu, says the alleged victim made allegations against her client after he informed her that her account was in jeopardy of being handed to a collection agency if it remained unpaid.
Several judges in Greene County have recused themselves from the case including Mark Fitzsimmons, Mark Powell, Jason Brown, and Mike Cordonnier. The attorney general will probably assign a special judge to handle the case, though that decision has not been made yet.
21 comments:
Relating to Darryl Johnson....
Darryl was my divorce attorney and was a true advocate for me as his client. His office was busy and always had staff at his disposal. Never was he anything but a professional who showed concern for my legal problems. He is a kind and decent individual who always treated me with respect
This man has a nice family,lovely home and successful law practice. He would never jeopardize that for this type of garbage. It is unfortunate that a person can have their reputation harmed on nothing more than the word of one person.
I have been in law enforcement for 20+ years and have seen alot of weak cases that should've never be filed. This would be one of those cases. It comes down to her word against his word with no physical evidence to support the charges. If there was a pattern or 1 or 2 other victims with similar stories then I could see some charges but when it's one persons word against another, I personally have a hard time justifying criminal charges. I hope the investigator's looked deeply into her possible motives.
I have been in law enforcement for 20+ years and have seen alot of weak cases that should've never be filed. This would be one of those cases. It comes down to her word against his word with no physical evidence to support the charges. If there was a pattern or 1 or 2 other victims with similar stories then I could see some charges but when it's one persons word against another, I personally have a hard time justifying criminal charges. I hope the investigator's looked deeply into her possible motives.
Re State vs. Johnson
Luckily nothing inappropriate happened to former client above but she should not so easily dismiss the allegations of another woman until all of the facts have been reported.
As for Mr. Law Enforcement above, a Probable Cause Statement is just that. Probable Cause. And a woman saying that she was sexually attacked by a man is probable cause. Is that not law enforcement 101?
I suspect that the active law enforcement and/or prosecuting attorneys handling this case are doing so with much awareness of the status of Mr. Johnson as well as the social repercussions of false allegations. Therefore, it seems we should wait on assessing innocence or guilt until such time as proven in a court of law.
Look into it. Others have filed similar complaints but not pressed charges. If I had to guess I bet Johnson won't even take the stand as all of the other complaints would be brought up. If he was my client I would not let him take the stand.
Yeah it's awesome when people defend this... Good job ....... Let's let things play out.
A woman making a complaint in itself is NOT probable cause. Please explain how you think it is ? I wouldn't file.
I don't understand how ppl can dismiss them because he was there attorney. Ok so what.. You think he is going to do this to every woman, no only when he feels the opportunity arises. He is a pervert and I think the justice system is messed up to defend a man just because of his power as an attorney. That gives him no right to man handle a woman or anyone by that matter. Several women have made complaints but none filed on him because they were afraid. I think this lady is strong and proud of her for standing up to him and saying NO THIS ISN'T OK...
Just wait for the evidence and lets see how many more women come forward now that they see it has happened to someone else.. Watch what you say it could be someone in your family next time... how would you feel?????????????
A woman making a complaint in itself IS probable cause. (in response to above)
If I go into the NY City police department today and tell them that I was walking in Central Park and a man pulled me off the trail and sexually assaulted me, they would take my statement, write a report, sit me down with a sketch artist and assign the case to detectives. They would locate (hopefully) and apprehend a suspect based on that information plus what they gathered in their investigation. There is now probable cause that a crime was committed. Because I 'SAID' so.
Now insert factor X that I actually know his name and where his office is located. They would go there, execute a search warrant (which they did) and arrest him.
Like I said before, you and Ms. 'former client' shouldn't so easily dismiss the statement of an alleged victim. If Darryl is not guilty, he'll be able to clear his name when the prosecutor fails to convict him beyond a reasonable doubt.
Until then, justice should run her course unhindered.
I agree with what you just explained if that's how it goes down in New York, but being as I work in law enforcement in Missouri I'll explain tp you how it works in my county.
I would take a written statement from this woman, and generate a report. I would then try to find the accused and interview him. If he tells me to pound sand, the case would be forwarded to the Detective division.
None of my judges would issue an arrest warrant strictly based on a written statement, and here, to get a warrant, probable cause needs to be established. Won't happen in my jurisdiction based solely on that. Several statements ? Probably. Witness ? No problem. Detailed sketch ? Probably good to go. Anything less, it would get kicked back to me with a nasty gram saying "Need more follow-up, or evidence"
I have no reason not to believe her. On the other side of the coin, I have no reason to believe her. A significant percent or police reports are false, at least in my area.
I use to be a friend of Darryl's and I am surprised he has not been caught before this. It' happened before.
Probable Cause for arrest is just that. Probable Cause for ARREST. The indictment comes from the prosecuting attorney's office.
The police can arrest on probable cause and can then release the suspect. Then the prosecutor can file, drop and even re-file charges depending on when they feel they have a strong case. Also, the case of the prosecuting attorney is not laid out in the PC Statement. You're talking about two different branches of the justice system, even. And we're not talking about just any county. This is Greene County.
If a little boy runs up to an officer at the park and says "that man over there just pulled his pants down, touched himself and then pushed his hands down into my pants!", you better be damn sure that here, in GREENE county, they would arrest the accused on Probable Cause and then send it on to be investigated later. They would NOT ask him if they can question him about it, be told to "pound sand' and then leave him on his merry way with the other children at the park. It's ridiculous.
I would be curious what law enforcement agency have you been in for 20+ years that would allow you to leave a sexual assault suspect free and a victim feeling like the accused.
Besides, you say you need multiple statements? She had two separate incidents. You say you need a witness. She is your witness. You say you need a detailed sketch. I assure you (lying or not), she could give you a detailed sketch of her own dissolution attorney.
Again, I agree with what your saying. I'm just telling you how unfortunately we have to deal with these in my kneck of the woods. I do have several years on, but don't ever recall saying 20+ years. I only wish my PA handled things the way Greene County seems to do it.
If I handled this particular case the way you explained I'd be looking for a new job. It's gonna come down to a he said she said based on the other comments on here. If he's good for it, he deserves to lose it all.
Thank you for this valuable information, I hope it is okay that I bookmarked your website for further references.
i personally know for a fact there are more women out there that he has done this too. And whether he is found guilty in court in Greene county there is a higher court one day that he will face. There is no personal gain in this for the victim, it is the state against Darryl Johnson which is a criminal charge as far as i know there are no civil charges. So that speaks to volumes!. what if were your daughter, wife or mother?
I witnessed Mr. Johnson make a very rude comment to a female attorney outside a courtroom one afternoon. His arrogance is what you see in most JAG Officers. Weasle would come closest to describing him. I hope he gets convicted so I can become pen pals with his cell mate. "Mate" being the keyword. I hope he gets man loving every chance he can.
Interesting. D. Johnson boasts to be a former JAG Officer....
Darryl Johnson is an asshole. Just bc he's an attorney doesn't mean he hasn't done wrong. He is a male schovinistic pig and he probably did do it.
Don't be degrading "assholes" he is much worse than the common asshole. I would consider him a gaping asshole at a minimum.
STILL waiting for them to move forward on this case. Looks like Preliminary Hearing is set out until early November. *sigh* Recusal after recusal we're finally going to hear some evidence in this case!
His wife is a BITCH
Post a Comment