California Highway Patrolwoman Arrested For Murder

Los Angeles, CA—In was nearly two years ago when CHP officer Tomiekia Johnson, 31 did the unthinkable. She shot and killed her husband, Marcus Lavar Lemons.

The killing occurred in their car as the dead man fought with the off-duty CHP officer. Even if the dead suspect was unarmed the issue of disparity of force would allow this young woman to use a firearm to ward off an attack.

This was originally treated as a justifiable killing but apparently something led to this arrest nearly two full years later. My guess is the LSAD investigators obtained some a statement or statements that provided evidence that the killing was a crime.

Johnson has been a CHP officer for four years now and has been placed on administrative leave.

Right now, the Sheriff’s department is not talking.

Johnson is currently being held in the Woman’s Detention Center in Lynnwood on a $2 million bail requirement after her arrest at noon yesterday by the LSAD LASD-Surveillance Apprehension Team

This is the type of case I specialize in. Prosecutors in Liberal jurisdictions love to find any excuse to arrest people including cops in self-defense cases.

I have no word yet on any lawyer hired to defend Johnson.

This is from the District Attorney's Press release:
LOS ANGELES – A CHP officer who allegedly fatally shot her husband nearly two years ago was arrested today and charged with murder, the District Attorney’s office announced.

Tomiekia Johnson, 31 (dob 4-19-79), was arrested about noon by Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department homicide detectives, said Deputy District Attorney Natalie Adomian with the Justice System Integrity Division. Johnson was arrested shortly after Adomian filed a felony complaint for arrest warrant – BA379826 -- charging Johnson with the murder of her husband, Marcus Lemons.

The complaint alleges Johnson personally and intentionally discharged a handgun. She is being held on $2 million bail. Arraignment information will be announced later.
The off-duty CHP officer allegedly shot her husband near a 91 Freeway off-ramp about 11 p.m. on Feb. 21, 2009. She then allegedly drove the car to her parents home in Compton. When Sheriff’s deputies responded, they discovered his body in the front passenger seat with a gunshot wound to the head.




Click here to see all Crimefile stories on this killing.

Few Additional Details Emerge From CHP Officer’s Deadly Marriage Encounter.

Compton, CA—After training and two years of police work under her belt it appears that CHP officer Tomieka Jones Lemons felt threatened enough by her husband to do the unthinkable. The off duty cop shot and killed her spouse, Marcus Lavar Lemons.

Through official Los Angeles Sheriff’s channels I’ve requested the 911 recording involved in the event along with descriptions of any injuries found on Officer Lemons. I also ask for additional information about the actual location of the shooting since the Sheriff’s press release is in conflict with some people who have contacted me claiming to be witnesses. I will post any information as I get it, right here.

We will have to wait for reports of the examination of blood and urine of both parties to surface. The obvious question was alcohol or drugs involved that caused violent behavior?

This whole mess will get the review of Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley who has a poor record of supporting self-defense rights of any armed survivors of violent attacks. Cooley may bankrupt this officer and her family just to let a jury decide whether this was a justified killing.

Even if the dead suspect was unarmed the issue of disparity of force would allow this young woman to use a firearm to ward off an attack.

I hope that the officer was smart enough to make no statements outside the presence of a lawyer. I see the need for an independent defense investigation to aid any defense lawyer instead of waiting for police reports to slowly filter through the discovery process.

Here is the very latest that ABC7 has to offer.

California Highway Patrol Officer Kills Husband.

Compton, CA—An unidentified police officer has killed her husband here early Saturday morning.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the shooting. They say their investigation is continuing.

A department press release indicated the shooting was prompted when the dead man became physically and verbally abusive. They report that the victim officer retrieved a firearm and killed the suspect.

The killing occurred at a home in the 400 block of Amantha Avenue in Compton, CA.
The press release classified the dead man as the suspect. That translates clearly that there are no current plans to charge the CHP officer with a crime. They are calling the incident “domestic violence” related.

The dead man suffered a single gunshot wound to his upper body and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Let’s hope the officer’s career does not suffer because of her justifiable use of force in this tragic situation.

Update: KCBS-TV has identified the dead suspect as, Marcus Lavar Lemons, 31. Several members of Lemons’ family have alleged that he was a peaceful man and a victim. That has not changed the fact that apparently no evidence of a crime has surfaced. Friends and family members of the dead suspect identified the victim as CHP officer, Tomieka Jones Lemons. The same people that gave the officer’s name also accuse the officer of being drunk. As always the body fluids of the dead suspect and CHP officer will be tested for alcohol and drugs. There will be no quick results to those tests.

The CHP media spokesman, Sgt. Mark Garrett refused to provide the officer Lemons’ age, length of service or unit of assignment. That refusal is long established routine for this kind of an event.


See a video report here.