A 39-year-old man from Louisiana has been found guilty of a horrifying crime that shocked the country. Earl Lee Johnson was convicted of first-degree murder for killing 34-year-old Janice David in 2022. What made the case even more disturbing was that he streamed the violent act live on Facebook.
What Happened in April 2022
On April 18, 2022, police found Janice David’s body inside a burned car in Baton Rouge. Before that, Louisiana State Police had been alerted about a Facebook Live video where a man was seen beating and stabbing a woman.
The tip led the police to the scene at South Sherwood Forest Boulevard, where they discovered the vehicle and David’s body.
The Shocking Facebook Live Stream
The most chilling part of the case was the 16-minute Facebook Live video. During the trial, jurors watched the footage where Johnson not only carried out the brutal attack but also spoke directly to the camera.
According to prosecutors, Johnson said things like, “She was going to say I raped her. They’re going to believe her over me. If I’m going down, I’m going to live forever.”
Prosecutor Dana Cummings told the jury that Johnson planned the act and wanted it to be seen. “He told you what he was doing. He wanted to be famous,” she said in court.
Johnson’s Defense: Mental Health and Drug Use
Johnson’s legal team argued that he wasn’t in a stable mental condition during the murder. His attorney, Hafiz Folami, said Johnson had been on a drug binge with David for several days and was suffering from a serious mental defect. They claimed he wasn’t fully aware of his actions when the crime happened.
However, the jury didn’t agree with the defense. After five days of trial, it took them just over an hour to deliver the guilty verdict.
What the Police Said
Lt. L’Jean McKneely from the Baton Rouge Police Department described the crime as “very gruesome, very evil.” He explained that after beating and stabbing David, Johnson tried to set the car on fire while she was still inside. Police believe heavy drug use played a major role in the events leading up to the murder.
Facebook was also quick to act after a user reported the disturbing video. The social media platform informed the Louisiana State Police, which helped them locate Johnson.
Charges and Sentencing Date
Johnson was first arrested for stealing the vehicle but was later charged with multiple crimes, including:
First-degree murder
Motor vehicle theft
Aggravated flight from an officer
His sentencing is scheduled for December 10, 2025. Since he was found guilty of first-degree murder, he could face life in prison without parole, or even the death penalty, depending on the judge’s decision.
The case of Earl Lee Johnson and Janice David is one of the most disturbing crimes in recent memory, not just because of its brutality but because it was live-streamed for the world to see.
It serves as a chilling reminder of how dangerous drug abuse, mental health issues, and social media misuse can be when combined. With the guilty verdict now in, many hope that justice will be served and that steps will be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future.
