KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas — The Dallas Court of Appeals ruled today, December 13, 2023, the guilty verdict and life sentence for Margaret Johnston will stand.
KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas — The Dallas Court of Appeals ruled today, December 13, 2023, the guilty verdict and life sentence for Margaret Johnston will stand.
Johnston was convicted of shooting and killing her daughter Connie Helms. Connie was on the phone with her half-sister, Cindy Rowan Stuff, during the shooting.
Margaret was tried on August 1, 2022 in the 86th District Court in Kaufman County, found guilty, and sentenced to life in prison.
The court was asked to rule on whether the evidence offered at trial was sufficient to legally sustain a conviction, and whether Margaret acted in self defense.
The court stated, reciting the facts from the records, “[Margaret Johnston] asked Connie, “How does it feel to be dying, you little bitch?” Cindy heard Connie ask for help again, and then she heard a gurgle, and she knew Connie was dead.
Appellant then asked, “How does it feel to be dead, you little bitch?” Appellant picked up the phone and said, “Cindy, Cindy, I need you to call 911. I shot Connie. I only shot her in the arm, but she’s acting like she’s dead.”
Margaret gave an interview with police after the shooting.
The court stated that “Appellant told police she was angry with Connie about the COVID test and because Connie was planning to put her in a nursing home. Appellant said that Connie had threatened her in the past but not on the day of the shooting. Appellant further theorized that Connie was trying to get her diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and early dementia because she was trying to take appellant’s property away from her.”
In making their decision to uphold the conviction, the Dallas Court of Appeals stated that the jury was free to accept or disregard evidence of self defense, and to determine which witnesses were credible or not.
“Based on our review of the record, we conclude a rational trier of fact could have rejected the self-defense theory and reasonably found the elements of murder beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Margaret Johnston was represented by Ms. Angela J. Moore on appeal. The Kaufman District Attorney was represented by Jennifer Ponder and Leslie Odom.