An Iowa man is dealing with life in jail after he was convicted of gunning down a random mom when she refused to “come get high” and instructed him to “f–k off” when he catcalled her on the street.
James Bernard Johnson, 43, was discovered responsible of first-degree homicide Wednesday for the 2024 killing of 42-year-old Nikki Loffredo, whom he noticed on the sidewalk simply earlier than 4 a.m. on July 27 and catcalled from his automotive for her to come back get together with him.
“Who are you? Never mind, f–k off,” Loffredo, a bartender, responded to Johnson as he drove by and leered out the window of his GMC SUV, in response to the Polk County Legal professional’s Workplace.
Johnson claimed he felt “disrespected” by Loffredo’s feedback — so he pointed a pistol out the window and blasted off 4 photographs at her earlier than rushing away.
Loffredo was strolling on a quiet residential avenue outdoors of a center faculty when she was shot.
Johnson claimed that he’d solely fired the weapon on the floor and wished simply to frighten Loffredo, however she was fatally wounded and died two days later.
He had seen Loffredo strolling earlier within the day and determined to method her later when he got here throughout her once more. The pair had no prior connection in any respect, in response to prosecutors.
Johnson was arrested on Aug 2, with investigators uncovering textual content messages between him and his girlfriend the place he admitted that he’d “popped” someone earlier.
Johnson had been excessive on cocaine and marijuana the day of the capturing, although it’s unclear if he was intoxicated when he pulled the set off.
He has earlier convictions for drug offenses.
Jurors deliberated for mere hours after his weeklong trial.
He might be sentenced on June 20.
Loffredo’s household described her as “very kind and compassionate, and was always willing to help anyone in need.”
“She loved to spoil her nephews and take them to movies and Chuck E. Cheese,” in response to her obituary.
