A trial is tentatively scheduled for April for one of the suspects accused of beating a man to death and robbing him of $25 in Bithlo in May 2015.
Heather Johnston, 32, is charged with second degree murder, burglary of a dwelling with assault or battery, robbery and two counts of tampering with a witness, according to court records.
Defense attorney Michael Nielson said his client is “willing to accept responsibility” for her actions, but ultimately decided to go to trial because she is “concerned about the possible length of sentence she might receive.”
The second suspect, 34-year-old Earl Baggs, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and robbery in January, according to court records.
Orange County sheriff’s deputies arrested Johnston and Baggs on first-degree murder and robbery charges one day after Daniel Chapman, 53, was found dead in bushes near the intersection of County Road 13 and East Colonial Drive.
Witnesses to the crime said the two suspects had difficulty keeping the crime a secret, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said.
Covered in blood, Johnston and Baggs arrived at a friend’s house on the night of the murder and said “they repeatedly kicked and beat” Chapman and that he may be dead, according to arrest reports.
When they discovered the witness came forward, Johnston and Baggs went back to the house, reports said. They began pounding on the door and shouting “I’m going to kill you for talking to the police!”
Johnston and Baggs are being held at the Orange County jail.
smedel@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5257
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